KF Seetoh weighs in on Hwa Chong meals controversy, urges better student meal experiences

SINGAPORE: Veteran food critic and Makansutra founder KF Seetoh has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Hwa Chong Institution’s newly launched hybrid canteen programme, following public backlash over images of student meals shared online.

The issue arose after a Reddit user posted photographs of catered meals provided to secondary school students. The images quickly drew sharp criticism, with many questioning whether the food met reasonable standards of quality, portion size, and nutrition.

In response, Hwa Chong Institution defended its programme, stating that the photos circulating online did not accurately reflect the overall quality or portion standards of meals served on campus.

The controversy intensified after screenshots of an alleged teacher’s message began circulating online. The message reportedly warned students against participating in discussions about the canteen food and stated that parental and school consent was required before speaking to the media.

Separate screenshots and Reddit posts further alleged that several students had received severe warnings or demerit points for speaking to the media about the meals. One post claimed that nine students were each issued five demerit points over the matter.

Hwa Chong Institution has since denied penalising any students for speaking to the media and rejected claims that disciplinary action was taken in relation to the canteen controversy.

Seetoh: Students Deserve Better Meal Experiences

In a Facebook post on 9 January, Seetoh said he did not believe educators, including those at Hwa Chong, would intentionally seek to suppress honest feedback from students. He stressed that students had no reason to misrepresent their experiences, especially regarding something as basic as daily meals.

Seetoh argued that students, who study and work long hours, deserve meal times that are genuinely enjoyable rather than purely functional or health-driven. According to him, breaks should be meaningful, incorporating elements of culture, history, and enjoyment that students can look forward to each day.

He questioned the value of catered meals priced at $4 or more, saying such meals should offer greater variety and reflect Singapore’s multicultural food heritage. He suggested school meals could draw inspiration from familiar local dishes across Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other traditional cuisines students recognise from home.

Seetoh also highlighted that affordable mixed-rice stalls outside schools often provide more generous and varied options at lower prices, raising questions about whether large corporate caterers were doing enough when tasked with feeding students.

He added that occasional indulgent items should not be viewed negatively, as students who work hard deserve flexibility in their meals. If a caterer cannot meet these expectations, he suggested schools consider alternative providers.

Beyond food quality, Seetoh emphasised the role of meals in preserving Singapore’s food culture. Schools could use mealtimes to educate students about local food traditions and encourage conversations that extend beyond the canteen, into homes and social circles.

Netizens Echo Seetoh’s Views

On Reddit, many users agreed with Seetoh’s points. One user said lunchtime is often the highlight of the day, for students or working adults, questioning why it was acceptable to serve food that appeared unappetising.

Another described the school canteen as an important “third space” where students can decompress and enjoy their day. They argued that if students cannot find comfort or joy during meal times, sustaining motivation over years of academic pressure becomes harder.

Some reflected on the autonomy students once had in choosing how to spend their pocket money in school canteens. One user asked, “Will our children now no longer have this little bit of freedom as canteen operators drop off from this line?”

The user agreed with Seetoh that school meals should not focus solely on health, particularly if food choices are limited, and said students should still have occasional enjoyment through comfort or “fun” foods.

Another user suggested bringing back the vendors and letting children eat properly home-cooked meals prepared by people who care more than some mega-corporation.

Netizens Question School’s Response

Some Reddit users criticised Hwa Chong Institution’s handling of the issue, describing the school’s response as poor from start to finish. They felt the school could have simply acknowledged shortcomings in the food and replaced the caterer instead of appearing overly defensive.

Others were puzzled by the school’s reaction, suggesting that if the issue stemmed from the caterer, responsibility should have been clearly placed there. They added that if the school had reviewed and approved the meals despite their quality, accountability should lie with the institution.

Several users argued that the controversy had diverted attention away from the caterer, SATS, which they felt should bear responsibility for providing meals perceived as substandard.