Teachers are essential to a food-safe school They can: Contribute to a real change in students’ attitudes about and awareness of the need for food safety and good hygiene practices by equipping them with food safety knowledge and skills. Help reduce the number of students who become sick from foodborne illness by educating them about safe food handling habits. Weave food safety into the curriculum, teaching it from historical, economic, cultural, social, scientific, and technological perspectives.

Food Safety for Teachers

Give students a lesson for life

Teachers at all grade levels and in all subjects can prevent foodborne illness by doing what they do best: educating students. The Food- Safe Schools Action Guide urges teachers to follow these simple but critical recommendations. Details, tips, and resources to help implement each recommendation are outlined in the Action Guide’s in-depth modules.

1. Encourage handwashing, particularly after students use the restroom and before eating.
2. Monitor student behavior in the cafeteria to ensure that food safety practices are used, and reward good behavior with praise.
3. Allow time for handwashing before and after lunch.
4. Model proper food preparation and handling skills if preparing or serving foods in the classroom—use the opportunity as a teachable moment for food safety.
5. Participate in food safety training.
6. Encourage family involvement in food safety education.
7. Integrate food safety into existing curricula.

New Team Member Resource Available! Check Out the Team Member In-Depth Modules

Learn more about your role in ensuring a food-safe school and find useful tips and resources to help you implement these recommendations. Check out the special teachers how to section (Word document).

Check out the Web sites below for more great resources.

• Action Guide Resources for Teachers
  


• Science and Our Food Supply
  
Food and Drug Administration and the National Science Teachers Association
Free curriculum for middle and high school science educators to teach students about food safety and food science careers. Site also includes the Food Safety A to Z Reference Guide, Lose a Million Bacteria game and profiles of professionals working in the food safety field.

• Resources for Kids, Teens & Educators
  
Foodsafety.gov
Government resources for children and educators.