I refer to the recent spate of articles related to food poisoning in schools and formation of flying squads as announced by the deputy education minister. Of late, this matter has been gaining public exposure via press and several other media.

From a medical perspective, I view this preventable problem as a shame for a country like ours where we are suppose to be one of the champions of the third world countries. The issue on hand is not about who is at fault and what is causing it, whether it is 'nasi lemak', almost expired milk or others. Rather than fighting fires by looking at specific schools with the problems, there is a need to address this issue from preventive point of view. After all, this is a well-documented "point source epidemic" where the originating source is well known.

From my observation, the current procedures and process involves school management, local authorities, Health Department and the Health Ministry should be reviewed. There is a need to have one procedures and processes. In a nutshell, I believe the issues can be resolved with the presence of set standards, coordinated monitoring and reporting system and empowerment. The other issue that is of equally importance that need to be addressed is food quality.

In developed countries like United Kingdom and United States, this system is in place. The standards are set and is translated into simple scoring system. Failure to maintain a certain score, will result in the food premises being closed and the operators being fined. I think if the enforcement is done properly, business operator will ensure that their premises is kept clean, free from various pest and bugs. Having to close a food premises temporarily is already painful enough.

At the moment, the canteen tender comes under the ambit of Education Department and in some schools under the school head. The basis of issuing a tender has always been price. What we see is that schools charge a nominal rental and the canteen despite having a captive population charges a rate that is comparable with the restaurant in town. While it is acceptable for the contract to be kept in the hands of the Education Department, however we see the surveillance, empowerment is lacking.

Even though local authorities has power to come in (as they issue the business licence), there is almost no regular surveillance being done. What we see is that they only comes in when there is a problem, by which it is too late. The way I see it, school system must have the necessary surveillance team and is given certain amount of power. There is no point of doing surveillance and whatever report generated is not use to improve conditions.

I believe the Education Department should have this team, which should be formed with the cooperation of the Public Health Division of every state or district. Having set a minimum standard of food quality, bio- safety and security and convert it into a workable and objective surveillance system, food quality and premises cleanliness can be improved. The million-dollar question is, do we have the heart to do it. I think flying squads are merely fighting fires and would not be cost effective in ensuring that food poisoning will not recur in school.