Module 1: The Importance of Food Safety

It's important for students to understand their role in keeping food safe. Millions of people each in the US are affected by food borne illnesses, especially those that are part of the high risk populations. Students will explore the many federal agencies, including the CDC, FDA, and USDA,  that provide food safety education, resources, and research to protect the public.  Foodservice managers who create a culture of food safety and foodservice employees who feel empowered to make decisions are the critical keys to protecting the public.  This module introduces basic food safety terminology, history of food safety and the roles and responsibilities of those that are involved in the flow of food.   

 Upon completion of this module, students will:

1. Explain the significance of food safety in protecting public health and maintaining consumer confidence.
2. Describe major historical milestones and regulatory developments that have shaped modern food safety practices.
3. Discuss the key elements of a strong food safety culture and apply strategies to promote it within an organization.
4. Explain how empowering employees to identify and respond to unsafe food handling situations supports continuous food safety throughout the flow of food.
5. Analyze the duties, authority, and accountability of the Person in Charge (PIC) in maintaining compliance with food safety regulations.
6. Evaluate and describe how to implement best practices for the Person in Charge (PIC) to prevent foodborne illness and mitigate imminent health hazards within a food establishment.

To achieve these objectives: 

1. Read the Module 1 Introduction
2. Read  Chapter 1: The Importance of Food Safety in the Food Safety and Sanitation textbook 
3. View the Myth or Fact
4. Complete the Food Safety Culture Assessment
5. View The Importance of Food Safety Presentation 
6. Participate in the Discussion Forum
7. Practice the Flashcards
8.  Take the Quiz
9. Explore the Extra Resources

Note the check boxes to the right that help you track your progress: some are automatic, and some are manual. 

Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities

You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.