Keeping Food Healthy

David J. Sencer CDC Museum Public Health Academy

Terms to Know

people who help collect data for research projects conducted by professional scientists
microscopic living organisms
an action by a food manufacturer to protect from food that might cause health problems
when bacteria or other harmful microorganisms spoil food
bacteria found in the intestines of people & animals; most cause salmonellosis
the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities
any illness resulting from spoilage of contaminated food
bacteria found in the environment, foods, & intestines of people and animals

Word Bank

contamination

citizen scientists

Salmonella

bacteria

public health

food recall

foodborne illness

E. coli

Understanding Foodborne Diseases

Foodborne illness outbreaks:

when two or more people get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink

Two of most common outbreaks caused by:

E. coli

Salmonella

A picture of a boy buying vegetables
A picture of a boy eating school lunch
A picture of rod-shaped E. coli bacteria.

Think About It

Are all bacteria harmful?

What are two bacteria that can be found in the human intestines?

Have you heard of any food items that were recalled?

Food Safety and CDC

Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Disease at CDC

monitor surveillance systems that track + monitor reports of foodborne & waterborne diseases

PulseNet :

national laboratory network

connects foodborne illness cases to detect outbreaks

uses DNA fingerprinting of bacteria making people sick

Food Safety and CDC

FoodNet :

conducts surveillance for infections of nine foodborne bacterial and parasitic pathogens

tracks number of cases + where cases came from, monitors changes

FoodNetFAST :

charts + tables of foodborne illness data

Four steps to protect from food poisoning:

clean, separate, cook, and chill

Think About It

Why would an E. coli outbreak with broccoli in California be important to residents of other states across the country?

What dangers could consumers experience if strict guidelines weren’t in place for food handling?

What safety protocols have you noticed when shopping for fresh produce in your local grocery store?

From the Expert

https://youtu.be/iIaKWNZhz74

CDC in Action: Foodborne Outbreaks

Think About It

Why should raw meat be prepared separately from fruits and vegetables?

Why is cooking food to the proper temperature important?

What do you think is the best way to convince other people to follow Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill?

Give it a Try

Call to Action!

Conduct an Experiment with Fruits & Vegetables

Create a Public Service Announcement (PSA)

Share Your Findings

Why do you think participation is important?

Conduct an Experiment with Fruits and Vegetables

Research

Test

Hypothesis

Ask

Conclusions

Share

Analyze

Give It a Try

1. Conduct an Experiment with Fruits & Vegetables

An illustration of a petri dish that has been divided in half on the bottom with a marker. One side is labeled W and the other U. The fruit/veg name is labeled on the petri dish's cover.
An illustration of 5 paper towels that have been labeled with a marker. There is a line down the middle, and the two sides are labeled W and U. Washed and unwashed fruits are laid out on each side.
An illustration of a petri dish that is being swabbed with a cotton swab using a wavy line pattern.

Give it a Try

1. Conduct an Experiment with Fruits/ Vegetables

Give it a Try

2. Create a Public Service Announcement (PSA)

4 Steps to Food Safety - Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill

Give it a Try

3. Share Your Findings

Questions?