School Cafeteria Standard under the Administration of Basic Education Office : A case study of primary school in Lopburi Province

Abstract

       This study was a survey research. The objective of this study was to investigate the cafeteria standard of schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission. The population was 10 elementary school cafeterias in Lopburi province. The tool used was surveys on the cafeteria sanitation standard of the Department of Health and SI-2.  Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics including mean.

  The results of this study found that cafeterias that did not meet at the sanitary standards of which a very good level was set at 70.00 percent.  No school cafeteria passed this very good level of standard. The aspects that failed the most were the food, water, ice, and beverage, followed by food containers. For schools which did not meet any of the standards, it was due to the sinks not having drains, not having grease traps,  and not having an annual medical examination of food handlers. According to food testing  detection of bacteria in food it was found that main course over rice was  the most contaminated, particularly foods that contain coconut milk which was contaminated with bacteria at 57.14 %, followed by noodle shop venders, with the most contamination found in meat balls with contamination at 50 %. As for the containers, chopsticks were found to be contaminated the most at 50.00 %, plates and  bowls at 41.91 %, and forks and spoons at 33.33 % respectively. As for food handlers, it was found that a la carte vendors were contaminated at  50.00 %, noodle venders were found to be contaminated at 25.00 %, and the main course over rice venders was at 23.01 %. There was no difference in the aspect of cook and servers. The results of the study found that there were 2 aspects that caused the cafeteria to not meet the sanitary standards; the cafeteria structure and food handlers.  

The suggestion from the study is to form a clear assessment of the cafeteria. This is because the first part of the standard is to assess the structure of the school. The school administrators are the only ones that can make the schools pass the standards. The second part is an assessment of food handlers.  The conclusion of the cafeteria assessment is based on the assessment on 2 aspects.  The school administrators have policies on food sanitation system management such as sewers, wash basin, and grease traps.   The school has a duty to set a standard that all vendors must meet regard less of the food vendors changes over many years.