food safety notes and mythbusters

8th Grade Life Skills

Food Safety Notes&

Food Safety Mythbusters

DID YOU KNOW…• Food-borne illness causes an estimated 48

million illnesses and 3,000 deaths each year in the United States

(Heart disease: 616,067, Cancer: 562,875, Accidents (unintentional injuries): 123,706)

What is a Food-Borne Illness?

• All illness that comes from eating food contaminated by bad bacteria or toxins

• Symptoms may occur within minutes to weeks afterwards

• Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and/or fever

• Can lead to death in extreme cases

People with Increased Risk…

• Infants

• Young children

• Pregnant women and their unborn babies

• Older adults

• People with weakened immune systems

Food-Borne Illness Contd.

• Effects of ingesting harmful bacteria vary from person to person• Some people may get very sick, others

may have no symptoms

Video: 4 Steps

• Watch the series of 4 youtube videos on the 4 Steps of Food Saftey from the USDA. Link is below!

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBg03D1474Q&list=PL1FB7B9DA0B767F87

• Answer questions that go with the videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBg03D1474Q&list=PL1FB7B9DA0B767F87



Partnership for Food Safety Education

www.fightbac.org2011 Partnership for Food Safety Education

2011 Partnership for Food Safety Education

MythFreezing foods kills harmful bacteria that can cause

food poisoning.


FactAlthough freezing food does prevent bacteria from multiplying, the only way to kill bacteria

is to cook food to the proper temperature.


Rule of Thumb• When food is thawed, bacteria can still be

present

• Always use a food thermometer to measure the temperature of cooked foods


Myth

I eat a vegetarian diet, so I don’t have to worry about food poisoning.


FactFruits and vegetables may carry a risk of foodborne illness just like any other food.


Rule of Thumb• In order to reduce your risk of contracting

food poisoning, make sure you follow the four steps of keeping food safe: clean, separate, cook and chill.


MythPlastic or glass cutting boards don’t hold

harmful bacteria on their surfaces like wooden cutting boards do.


FactAny type of cutting board can hold harmful

bacteria on its surface.

Every cutting board should be

washed and sanitized after

each use.


Rule of Thumb• Plastic, glass, granite, and hardwood cutting

boards are dishwasher safe

• Wooden cutting boards do not hold up well in the dishwasher and should be hand-washed

• Cutting boards should be discarded after becoming excessively worn or developing hard-to-clean grooves


MythLocally grown, organic foods will never give me

food poisoning.


FactAny food, whether organic or conventional,

could become unsafe with illness-causing bacteria at any point during the chain from

farm to table.


Rule of Thumb• Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under

running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten

• Do not use soap, bleach, or detergent to wash produce

• Packaged fruits or vegetables that are labeled “ready-to-eat” or “washed” do not need to be re-washed



Frozen foods taste extra good,

when you cook them like you should!


Organic and conventional foods are both great,

as long as you clean, cook, chill and separate!


Fruits and veggies are healthy treats,

be sure to wash them before you eat!

Margot N. Bolon

this is an amazing image - can you make it bigger and center it?


Regardless of the cutting board you choose,

make sure to clean after its been used!


The Partnership’s mission is to end illness and death from foodborne infection. For more information, please visit our

website:

www.fightbac.org

Presented by (insert name of your organization here)