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Varsity cuisine guarantees no constipation
Canteen owners’ mission impossible to provide a packet of rice and curry for Rs. 30 maximum results in rotten veggies, stale fish, low quality rice
The food has no quality whatsoever; it is surprising that the food and the canteen surroundings are not inspected by PHIs. Most of the canteens are unclean and infested with flies and cockroaches.” - Rajarata University’s Student Union president Isuru Bandara
University canteens feed thousands of mouths daily, but to sell a packet of rice for Rs. 25, many canteens have opted to use rotten vegetables, inedible low quality rice and almost rotten fish that make the country’s future intellectuals fall sick on a regular basis.
The recent report was from the Ruhuna University, where more than 20 students of Vellamadama section were admitted to Matara General Hospital for severe vomiting and diarrhoea, all symptoms of food poisoning.
Meals being prepared at the Rajarata University canteen
Students charge both education authorities and canteen owners for their disregard to food hygiene and quality. Ruhuna University Students’ Union secretary Jeewantha Withanaachchi said that it is only when students complain, that the university’s Public Health Inspector(PHI) inspects the canteen.
“Though canteens have agreed in the tender to provide three vegetables and fish/dry fish or egg, most of the time vegetables are not served, while coconut sambol from which the milk has been extracted and a little dhal is served. Although a plate of rice should weigh 400g, it never does,” he said.
According to him, it was found that rotting fish stored in refrigerators has been the reason for food poisoning. Similarly, another incident was reported this year from the Meddawatte section of the University where students were admitted to the Matara General Hospital with stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
What’s on the menu
Rajarata University Student Union president Isuru Bandara said that about 3,000 students buy food from the canteens daily.
“The food has no quality whatsoever; it is surprising that the food and the canteen surroundings are not inspected by PHIs. Most of the canteens are unclean and infested with flies and cockroaches,” he said.
He said that university students already are victims of kidney disease and still continue to drink unfiltered water. Colombo University All Faculty Students’ Alliance Convener Najith Indika said vegetables and other goods are bought from discarded stock in the Manning Market.
“In Colombo, at least our students can collect some money and buy food from outside, but in outstation campuses, far from the towns, students do not have no option but to eat the low-quality, unclean food served in the canteens,” he said.
All Island Canteen Owners’ Association President Asela Sampath said that higher education authorities have often neglected university canteens and despite providing water, gas and charge little or none for electricity, it is impossible to sell a packet of rice for Rs. 20-30, especially with the increasing prices of vegetables, fish/eggs and condiments.
He said a series of protests will be organised demanding education authorities to look into the welfare of canteens and their workers.
“With the electricity tariff hike, canteens that are being charged for electricity, will switch off the refrigerators. Food quality will become worse because of this. With the increase in the cost of living, canteen owners are looking for cheaper options from rotten vegetables to low quality rice. Workers are also paid a meagre amount and they are discontented,” he said.
The cooking area of the Ruhuna campus canteen
Medical Research Institute (MRI) Nutritionist Dr Renuka Jayatissa said that university age is when youngsters enter adulthood and need to be provided with highly nutritious adult meals. “The food should contain all vitamins and proteins; otherwise this will result in deficiencies,” she added.
She said that canteens often tend to avoid vegetables, as they are easily perishable. Therefore, the University authorities and students should ensure to add a fruit or a vegetable salad to their food.
Ruhuna University Vice Chancellor Prof. Gamini Senanayake said that the university health inspectors were told to check the sanitary conditions in canteens and kitchens, and that, several awareness programmes are held for canteen owners on the importance of preparing clean food at low cost.
When students are away a four-legged friend helps itself to a pastry. Pix by Indika Handuwala
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