Food Hygiene and Safety Lesson: An Easy Guide
Lesson Overview
- Food Poisoning: A Household Hazard
- The Power of Handwashing
- Safe Food Storage: Keep It Cool!
- Preventing Cross-Contamination
- Personal Hygiene: Clean People Make Clean Food
- When You Are Sick: Protect Others
- Understanding PDI: Pre-Delivery Inspection
- Quick Food Hygiene Checklist
- Key Takeaway:
Every day, we eat food to stay strong and healthy. But did you know that how we store, prepare, and handle food can make the difference between staying healthy or getting sick? This is what Food Hygiene and Safety is all about-keeping food clean and safe to eat. In this lesson, we will explore why food hygiene and safety matter.
Food Poisoning: A Household Hazard
Note: 80% of food poisonings happen at home.
What is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning is a sickness caused by eating food that has harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Why Does It Mostly Happen at Home?
Because many people:
- Don't wash hands before cooking
- Store food incorrectly
- Use dirty kitchen tools
Why It Matters
Food poisoning can cause stomach aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Learning how to keep food safe helps prevent these problems.
Think Critically:
Why do you think food at home might be less safe than food from restaurants?
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The Power of Handwashing
Hands should be washed after touching raw food, before touching cooked food, and after using the toilet.
When Should You Wash Your Hands?
| Time | Why It's Important |
| After touching raw meat | Removes bacteria like Salmonella |
| Before touching cooked food | Prevents transferring germs to clean food |
| After using the toilet | Stops spread of harmful bacteria |
How to Wash Hands Properly
- Use clean, running water
- Apply soap
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds
- Rinse and dry completely
Think Critically:
If you wash hands but don't use soap, is that enough? Why or why not?
Safe Food Storage: Keep It Cool!
Keep your refrigerator below 4°C.
Why Is 4°C Important?
Bacteria grow quickly between 4°C and 60°C (called the Danger Zone). Keeping food below 4°C slows bacterial growth.
What Should Be Stored Cold?
| Food Item | Storage Advice |
| Milk, yogurt | Store in refrigerator |
| Meat, fish | Keep below 4°C |
| Leftovers | Store within 2 hours |
Student Question:
What happens if you forget to refrigerate leftovers for a few hours?
Preventing Cross-Contamination
Use different chopping boards, wash utensils, and hands, and cook meat thoroughly.
What Is Cross-Contamination?
It happens when germs from one food get transferred to another.
How to Avoid It
- Use different cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables.
- Wash knives and tools after each use.
- Always cook meat completely to kill bacteria.
Color Code Your Boards (Optional Table)
| Food Type | Board Color |
| Raw meat | Red |
| Vegetables | Green |
| Cooked food | White |
Think Critically:
What could happen if you cut fruit on a board just used for raw chicken?
Personal Hygiene: Clean People Make Clean Food
Wash hands with soap and dry with paper towel for 20 seconds after bathroom use.
Why Soap Matters
Soap removes dirt, grease, and microbes that water alone can't.
Why Drying Matters
Germs spread more easily on wet hands. Drying with a paper towel also helps remove bacteria.
Student Tip:
Sing "Happy Birthday" twice while washing your hands-that's about 20 seconds!
When You Are Sick: Protect Others
- Don't go to school/work when sick
- Use tissues to sneeze
- Use hand sanitizer
Why Stay Home When Sick?
Illnesses like colds and flu spread through:
- Coughing and sneezing
- Touching shared surfaces
By staying home, you stop the spread of germs.
How to Be Considerate When Sick
- Always sneeze into tissues
- Wash hands after blowing your nose
- Use hand sanitizer if soap is unavailable
Think Critically:
What could happen if everyone came to school while sick?
Understanding PDI: Pre-Delivery Inspection
PDI stands for Pre-delivery inspection (commonly used in safety protocols, including food and non-food industries).
What Is It?
Although mostly used in car dealerships, PDI can also mean a final safety check before delivering products to customers. In food delivery, this includes checking:
- Packaging
- Freshness
- Temperature
Why It Matters for Food?
Just like cars are inspected before delivery, food should also be checked for quality and safety before reaching your plate.
Quick Food Hygiene Checklist
| Hygiene Task | Purpose |
| Wash hands with soap | Removes germs |
| Use paper towels to dry | Keeps hands dry and clean |
| Store food under 4°C | Slows bacterial growth |
| Avoid cross-contamination | Stops bacteria from spreading |
| Stay home when sick | Prevents spreading illness |
| Use tissues when sneezing | Traps germs |
Key Takeaway:
Food hygiene and safety aren't just kitchen rules-they're life-saving practices. From handwashing to safe storage and thoughtful habits during illness, these small steps create a big shield against foodborne illnesses.
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