The seasonal menu was updated in Kazan kindergartens

(KZN.RU, February 13, Alsu Safina). The seasonal menu was updated in Kazan kindergartens in January: pumpkin, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers were changed by cabbage, carrots, and beets. Moreover, fresh greens are added to the dish. Guzel Ananieva, the general director of the Department of Food and Social Supply of Kazan, reported today at the Business Monday.

“The one 10-day cyclic menu is valid from January in 465 institutions of Kazan and 9 regions of the republic”, she said. Guzel Ananieva explained that the menu is updated at least twice a year, but in practice - 4-5 times due to the seasonality of fruits and vegetables use. “The wishes of parents are taken into account when making changes”, said the speaker.

According to her, the change in the parent payment for the child staying in kindergarten increased the daily requirement of fruits, dried fruits, juices, meat, dairy products and cheese. “The daily amount of food increased by 97 grams since January: up to 1782 grams per day. I cite these numbers for parents who after the change of menu decided that meat was less and the amount of vegetables increased in the diet of children”, said the general director of the Department of Food and Social Supply.

G. Ananieva drew attention to the fact that the menu is made on the basis of the recommendations of the Scientific Research Institute of Nutrition Academy of Sciences based on the physiological needs of children of all age groups in the energy and nutrients, as well as in accordance with the requirements of Sanitary rules and norms and guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Science of the RF. Expert opinion of the Hygiene and Epidemiology Center of the RT for compliance with the requirements of Sanitary rules and norms was received for the new menu in December 2016. It is also necessarily to agree with the Rospotrebnadzor. “This procedure is carried out every time during the year when changes are introduced to the menu”, added G. Ananieva.

Daily diet of children involves the use of milk, dairy products, meat or fish, vegetables and fruits. Curd, sour cream, poultry, eggs, cheese and juices are included in the menu in a day or two or three times a week. As the first course, the children are offered soups with chicken, meat and fish broth. Dairy and vegetarian soups are prepared only once a week. The second courses of meat, fish or poultry are included in the diet in the form of cutlets, meatballs, goulash and casseroles. “Repetition of the same dishes in different meals is not permitted on the same day. For example, if the first course at lunch was with grains or potatoes, the side dish to the second course will not be made from these products”, explained G. Ananieva.

According to her, the department experts are constantly monitoring compliance with the menu and quality of food. Verification took place in 111 educational institutions in January, including preschools. In addition, the quality control of ready meals in preschool educational institutions performs the Grading Commission (a group of authorized employees: Ed.), consisting of at least three people: the head of the institution, the chef and the medical officer. Prepared dishes and cooking items are released only after the grading.

Holding an open house for the heads of kindergartens and parents' committees is planned in the department soon. As the speaker noted, they will be able to visit the supply plant, accredited laboratory and try the dishes of the kindergartens’ menu.

Guzel Ananieva also reminded the phone number of the department’s hotline - 5333-600, on which you can apply with the questions on nutrition.

“It's good that you spend a tasting with parents so that they understand and see what work is being done”, said Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan. “Today, 92% of pupils are covered with hot meals, but that is no reason for rest”, he added. “It is well known that the child should receive 60% of food in the first half of the day. Of course, one cannot please everyone. But there must be a single menu, and it is necessary to carry out explanatory work with parents”.

According to I. Metshin, the human factor is taken into account during the organization of food in educational institutions. “We have thousands of chefs, and, unfortunately, there are cases of theft, substitution, etc. Therefore, the entire security service set up in the department, which monitors it. Continue this work and conduct it not only by forces of the department, but also the Education Department”, said I. Metshin. “First of all, the director must guard the interests of children and the quality of food”.

The Mayor pointed out that the 9 regions of Tatarstan are served by the departments. “The same amount of regions is in the queue. By using the services of private entrepreneurs, it is impossible to prepare high-quality and balanced menu. The Department succeeds. We want to see healthy children in the future, and the future is being laid today, including at the expense of a healthy lifestyle, physical education, mass sports, fresh air, and healthy, high-quality and systematic nutrition”, said I. Metshin.