Student faces backlash after eating floor food at primary school in Turku

In a recent incident in Turku, a primary school student received a negative report on the school management system Wilma after eating a fish stick that had fallen on the floor. The child defended the action, citing hunger and believing they couldn’t request another fish stick since they had already taken the allowed amount. The issue arose as parents shared experiences regarding school meals after a media inquiry.

In Turku, children between the ages of 5 and 7 are permitted to take a specific number of fish sticks, but some parents reported that their children were discouraged from getting second helpings to prevent food shortages. Many parents feel the topic of school food is so sensitive that they prefer to remain anonymous when sharing their views.

Concerns about the quality of school meals resurfaced recently when children reported digestive issues linked to the plant-based nuggets served in schools. Laboratory tests did not reveal any foodborne illness but many parents expressed dissatisfaction with the food quality, noting that meals have become watery and unappetizing since a new food service provider took over almost two years ago. Complaints included undercooked meat in pasta casseroles and frequent shortages during later meal sessions.

To address concerns, the service provider emphasized that additional food can be provided and that children will never go hungry. However, some parents remain worried about their children’s nutritional intake, particularly when only dessert is available to meet protein needs. An average school meal costs €2.60 and is meant to meet about a third of a student’s daily nutritional requirements, which parents argue is often insufficient. The service provider insists that the recipes and quality of ingredients have not changed since the previous management.