Food hygiene education in UK secondary schools: A nationwide survey of teachers' views

Abstract

Objective A nationwide survey of teachers investigated the teaching of food hygiene in UK secondary schools. Previous studies have focused on effective strategies in consumer food hygiene training but there is little research focusing on school-based education. Design The questionnaire was developed based on the results of in-depth interviews with school teachers and included topics such as where teachers gained up-to-date food hygiene knowledge and how key food hygiene messages were reinforced. Setting Postal questionnaires were completed by those responsible for teaching food hygiene in secondary schools. Method Postal questionnaires were distributed to 1989 secondary schools throughout the UK (response rate 38 per cent). Results Overall, the results indicate that teachers use a combination of methods to teach food hygiene and to reinforce food safety messages. Respondents rated demonstrations of good practice and practical activities involving young people preparing food as most effective. Teachers cited their most preferred resources for teaching food hygiene, influences on the choice of these resources, and limitations on use. Conclusion In the UK, teachers cover food hygiene in D&T and home economics (or equivalents in Scotland and Northern Ireland). Topics such as cooking food properly, cleanliness, storing and chilling food safely, and cross-contamination are covered, reflecting the key FSA food hygiene messages. Steps to support the teaching of food hygiene in secondary schools such as guidelines on food hygiene legislation, key topics, resources, and ideas for practical activities could help to improve young people's knowledge of food hygiene and encourage young people to spread key messages to adults

Food Safety and Hygiene Lessons in the Primary School: Implications for Risk-Reduction Behaviors

“…Historically many restrictions to the practical model of teaching food microbiology in the public school have been cited by primary school teachers, including limited budgets, poor access to resources and inability to do experimental work with microorganisms (Egan et al, 2008).…”

“…Food safety education of children is thought to be essential for the development of proper handling of food practices (Haapala and Probert, 2004;Youatt et al, 1996); moreover, teaching food hygiene in schools could be an effective way to reach all the family members, as students share knowledge on correct practices in the home setting (Egan et al, 2008;Haapala and Probert, 2004).…”

Effect of High School Students? Food Safety Knowledge Level on Their Attitude

“…Eves et al 22 found that students between 4 and 14 years of age had good awareness of food hygiene-related issues but had misperceptions about microorganisms and their effects on foods. In other research in which food safety education in secondary schools was studied, it was stated that the best education method was the demonstration method, and that shortages of materials and short class time periods posed serious obstacles 24 . These findings show that those in power need to take action to increase the knowledge and awareness level of students, and consequently of the community, in terms of curriculum and classroom materials.…”

“…Despite numerous researches carried out on food services and canteens in the foreign literature [16][17][18][19] , Turkey is experiencing difficulties in identifying studies in sufficient numbers which were carried out in dining halls in Turkey 20 . Behaviours, knowledge of and attitudes to food safety in kindergartens/nursery schools, school and university canteens, and their personnel, teachers and/or students were assessed independently of each other [21][22][23][24][25][26] . On the other hand, this study, aiming to assess the relationship between the level of knowledge on and attitude to food safety, and to determine the effect of knowledge on attitude, should contribute to the existing literature.…”

Review of risk communication and education strategies around food hygiene and safety for children and young people

“…No standard methodology currently exists for the integration of food hygiene and safety into school curricula (Caraher, Wu, & Seeley, 2010;Egan et al, 2008). However, in the field of hygiene, infection prevention and antibiotic resistance, free educational resources are provided by e-Bug (www.e-bug.eu).…”