Module 2: Safe Cooking with Confidence Cooking Matters for Child Care Professionals Module 2: Safe Cooking with Confidence

Why Should Food Safety Be a Top Priority For You?

Why Should Food Safety Be a Top Priority For You? Infants and young children are at a greater risk for foodborne illness.

Prevent Food Contamination Follow these three basic principles: Practice good hygiene Avoid cross-contamination Keep foods out of the “danger zone”

Practice Good Hygiene Wash your hands Wash children’s hands Wash often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds

Avoid Cross-Contamination Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and work surfaces before and after food preparation Use separate cutting boards and work surfaces for raw meats and produce Place cooked food on a clean plate Disinfect serving areas

Avoid Cross-Contamination (cont.) Sanitize* Disinfect* To soak, clean in a chlorine solution of 1 Tablespoon of household chlorine bleach mixed with one gallon of water To wipe, clean surfaces with a stronger chlorine solution of l/4 cup household chlorine bleach mixed with one gallon of cool water *These are solution guidelines; be sure to follow the requirements set by your local health department.

Keep Foods Out of the Danger Zone Store, cook, and hold foods at safe temperatures Keep hot foods hot Keep cold foods cold Use tools to check the internal temperatures

A Safe Food Environment for Children Staff stores sharp objects and labeled chemicals out of reach. Staff enforces safe behaviors in the food preparation area and meal tables. The kitchen, storage, and eating areas are clean and uncluttered. Furniture, eating and serving utensils are age- appropriate. Offer appropriate foods, avoiding: Allergens Choking hazards

Children pass through “stations” containing ingredients and assemble their own food portions.

Activity We Eat Tops and Bottom! Talk with the kids about how we eat different types of the plants- flower, stems, leaves, seeds (above the soil), and roots (below the soil) On a poster board white board draw a line representing the soil Give each child a picture of a food They can place it above or below the soil based on their foods See page 10 of Exploring Foods Together.

Goal Setting Complete the worksheet on page 19 Discuss in small groups Food safety in your class or setting Cooking with your kids

Questions?