Digitalizing School Meal Monitoring: Towards Transparency and Sustainability

In an effort to modernize school meal control, the Data and Artificial Intelligence Center under the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology has identified inherent limitations in traditional monitoring methods. Currently, management relies heavily on manual observation and direct parental involvement, leading to a lack of a unified data system for traceability in case of incidents.

Mr. Trinh Tat Thang, Director of the Data and Artificial Intelligence Center, noted that visual inspections or information exchange groups fail to create long-term storage records. To address this, the HanoiCheck software was introduced, enabling the digitalization of supplier registration, menu setting, and nutritional management. The system can automatically calculate ingredient quantities based on actual meal counts, creating a seamless data chain.

This technical process helps clarify the responsibilities between suppliers and schools. All data regarding origins, harvesting times, and transportation are stored digitally, facilitating real-world verification. For parents, the system provides a transparent channel to track suppliers, nutritional content, and photos of daily trays, potentially integrating kitchen surveillance cameras.

From a professional perspective, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh, formerly of the Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology (Hanoi University of Science and Technology), emphasized that technology must go hand-in-hand with substantive community engagement. He proposed a three-party coordination model: the school principal managing operations; local authorities monitoring regulatory compliance; and the Parents' Representative Board supervising financial aspects and nutritional quality. Food safety must be a continuous effort, not merely a seasonal or ceremonial campaign.