The authorities intend to amend the Contraventional Code and the Penal Code in order to make harsher sanctions for child nutrition rule violations in kindergartens and schools. Additionally, the amendments aim to adjust the menu so as to provide healthier food and beverages, id est more drinking water instead of juice. The authorities will develop a standardized task book with technical specifications and regulations for the purchase of children's food. The changes were announced in a press conference by the Secretary General of the government, Andrei Spînu.
According to the secretary general of the executive, the authorities are aware of multiple cases when the educational institutions and food suppliers did not meet healthy nutrition minimum standards, which led to serious consequences for the safety and health of the children. "In one out of 5 educational institutions, the water does not correspond to the sanitary-chemical and microbiological parameters. We will not tolerate this situation, things must change", said Andrei Spînu.
The authorities will implement the "Zece pentru copii" action plan, which aims to improve the supply of drinking water in schools and kindergartens. It was elaborated following the disposition signed by the prime minister, which triggered consultations with the relevant central public authorities, as well as with representatives of the local public authorities and of civil society.
The secretary general of the government said that centralized public food and water procurement will be piloted at city level, by town halls, district councils, etc. Additionally, the procurement process will be adjusted so that managers focus more on quality and less on bureaucratic procedures.
Moreover, the authorities intend to amend a government decision, which would allow to create a public procurement black list of economic operators who failed to fulfill their obligations.
