Food Safety Management in Primary Schools for Ethnic Groups in Northern Thailand: A PDCA-Based Evaluation.

Abstract

Food safety management in rural ethnic schools remains underdeveloped in Northern Thailand. This study evaluates such systems in primary schools using the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) framework, which can serve as a scalable and culturally sensitive tool to strengthen food safety systems in multi-ethnic school environments. Multi-criteria decision analysis was employed across nine schools representing the Hmong, Lisu, Lahu, Akha, Kamoo, Haw, Mien, Karen, and Lau communities. Data collection included (1) PDCA-based rubric scoring validated by three experts; (2) in-depth interviews and field observations; (3) food and water contamination testing; and (4) microbiological analysis of chefs' hands and utensils (detected or non-detected). The results showed that only 45% of the schools involved had third-party food safety monitoring, and 45% lacked systems to gather student feedback. None could independently assess chlorine or food residue. Escherichia coli contamination was found on chefs' hands (44%), utensils (56%), and drinking water (33%). Schools C (Lahu) and F (Haw) had the highest and lowest PDCA scores, respectively. Therefore, schools should (1) train employees, (2) work with a third party responsible for monitoring food safety, and (3) establish raw material and contamination self-assessment processes to improve food safety. Implementing PDCA to improve food safety in neglected schools is essential.