The state audit revealed alarming trends in the field of baby food in schools

The Accounting Chamber has recently concluded inspections at the Ministry of Science and Education, with a specific focus on its Department of Capital Construction and Supply, as detailed on the Chamber's official website. The comprehensive audit aimed to assess the compliance of public procurement activities conducted between 2021 and 2022 with relevant legal frameworks.

During the audited period, a total of 494 contracts, amounting to 666.3 million manats, were executed. However, the inspection specifically covered 411 contracts totaling 468.8 million manats. The findings of the inspections revealed noteworthy deviations in the public procurement processes, particularly in relation to food supplies within the educational sector.

An observed shift in menu preferences toward more expensive options without a corresponding increase in the nutritional value of the meals led to an escalation in the cost per pupil. This, in turn, resulted in heightened demands for additional public funds. The Accounting Chamber's report underscores the necessity for a critical examination of the fiscal ramifications stemming from altered procurement strategies.

Baku, the capital city, routinely conducts evaluations of public catering facilities to ensure compliance with technical and regulatory legal acts governing public catering. Collaborative monitoring efforts with relevant authorities aim to scrutinize the provision of recommended equipment, adherence to sanitary and epidemiological norms, and offer guidance to rectify any identified shortcomings.

The report also delineates a set of prohibitions on the sale of specific food items within school cafeterias. These restrictions include the prohibition of selling food products with expired shelf life or low quality, items prepared the day before, and various categories of meat and by-products not meeting veterinary control standards. The list extends to homemade food, confectionery with cream, unpasteurized milk, certain condiments, and other products deemed incompatible with established health and safety standards.

The Accounting Chamber's revelations shed light on potential fiscal and nutritional implications resulting from procurement practices in the educational sector, prompting considerations for corrective actions and enhanced fiscal responsibility.