“How can anyone eat this?” Parents showed what children are fed at a school in Astana

Tengrinews.kz — Parents of students at School-Lyceum No. 27, named after Kaiseynov in Astana, are taking to social media to criticize the appearance of free school meals.
How it all began
One particular post sparked a heated debate: the author shared that her daughter asked for money for the cafeteria because she refused to eat the free lunch provided.

"I was outraged and told her, 'The school feeds you for free, eat what you're given.' But I never could have imagined they would serve the children something that looks like vomit!" — wrote the mother said.

She said her perspective shifted immediately after she saw a photograph of the dish.

"What use are these meal vouchers if this mush is impossible to even look at, let alone eat!" she exclaimed.

The author also noted that, according to her child, paid meals are perceived quite differently.

"It turns out you can eat well if you pay for it," the Astana resident remarked.

Screenshot: Threads
What parents are saying
Other parents responded in the comments, including those whose children also attend Lyceum No. 27.
One mother shared that her child also switched to paid meals after seeing such lunches. She noted that the free menu included pearl barley and other standard dishes.

"We aren't against barley, pasta, and so on, but they could at least cook it properly. Here, they served the barley along with all the slime," she wrote, adding that her children had enjoyed the school meals in previous years.

Screenshot: Threads
In the comments, parents raised other grievances regarding school catering. One mother stated that she had raised concerns about the quality of apples distributed to children nearly two years ago.

"Those apples were a sorry sight," she wrote.

According to the woman, she was told in a parent group at the time that she should simply be grateful her child was being given any fruit at all.
Response from the Education Department
We reached out to the Astana Education Department for a comment on the situation.
The department reported that students at School-Lyceum No. 27 were served a dish made of ground chicken. According to officials, it was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the approved technical specifications.

"Based on the results of an inspection conducted by a specially formed food quality commission, no violations of quality or safety requirements were found," the response stated.

However, the Education Department did take the parents' feedback regarding the food's appearance into account. Cafeteria staff were instructed to pay extra attention to the presentation and visual appeal of prepared dishes for the students.
What parents can do if they have concerns about school meals
If parents are dissatisfied not only with the appearance of a dish but also its quality or safety, the issue can be addressed beyond social media discussions. The first step is to contact the school administration and provide a detailed description of the concerns.
It is important to document the specifics: when and what dish the child received, the exact nature of the problem, whether it is a recurring issue, and to keep a photograph if available. This shifts the conversation from subjective impressions to specific incidents.
In cases involving potential violations of sanitary requirements or food safety, parents can file an official appeal to the competent authorities via the e-Otinish platform. Such appeals should include a detailed account of the situation and any supporting materials.
Additionally, parents can request information regarding the school's food quality commission and inquire about the school's quality control procedures for prepared meals.
Parents also have the right to ask about the specific school menu, preparation methods, and quality control measures. If a problem persists, it is advisable to document every instance and file a formal complaint rather than limiting the issue to a single message in a group chat.
It is worth noting that Kazakhstan updated its school meal requirements starting this academic year. Menus are now designed to reflect children's age groups and nutritional needs.
A key change is the limitation of added salt and sugar. Only iodized salt must be used in cooking. Furthermore, at least 75 percent of the menu should consist of plant-based products, including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, berries, nuts, and seeds.Hot meals will remain a staple. Some schools may organize meals buffet-style, while small-capacity schools and those without cafeterias will provide students with lunch boxes.
Free hot meals will continue to be provided to all students in grades 1–4 and children from socially vulnerable categories.