Food Safety at Home & Work

How many of you help prepare food at home?

How many of you work in a restaurant or food service?

Most teens help with food preparation at home, and one-fifth of working teens are involved in food preparation or food service occupations.

There are approximately 76 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths in the United States each year caused by food-borne diseases. Most of these illnesses and deaths are preventable.

You will be in groups of 5 (must be at least 2 girls and 2 boys in each group). At a station of butcher paper, brainstorm strategies to prevent food-borne illnesses. Choose a reporter to share the answers with the class.

Turn to “Preventing Food-Borne Illnesses” on page 31.

Now that we have read about how to prevent food-borne illnesses, go back with your groups and circle the correct preventative measures and write the number correct at the top of the page.

Turn to “Food-Borne Illness Detective” on page 32. With a partner, follow the directions and complete the activity sheet.

Take out your “Health Action Pamphlet” sheet. You are going to prepare a pamphlet for work OR home that promotes prevention of food-borne illness.

The “Take a Break: Food Safety at Home” sheet is something for you to take home and share with your family. It includes good information and ways to talk about food-borne illnesses and prevention.