The refrigerator safari: An educational tool for undergraduate students learning about the microbiological safety of food

Authors: Breen, Abigail; Brock, Sophie; Crawford, Katrina; Docherty, Mary; Drummond, Gavin; Gill, Lucy; Lawton, Sophie; Mankarious, Vivienne; Oustayiannis, Andrea; Rushworth, Gemma; Kerr, Kevin G.

Source: British Food Journal, Volume 108, Number 6, 2006 , pp. 487-494(8)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

Purpose ? Food-borne infection remains a major public health concern and it is important that healthcare professionals in training understand the epidemiology of gastro-intestinal infection and strategies for its prevention. This article describes a student selected component (SSC), i.e. an element which supplements the core curriculum for undergraduate medical students and its use as an educational tool. Design/methodology/approach ? The SSC incorporated a refrigerator safari in which students examined a number of domestic refrigerators for factors which might affect adversely the microbiological quality of the food within them as well as determining refrigerator temperatures with a sensitive thermometer. Findings ? The refrigerator safaris, although small in number (<IT>n</IT>=25) highlighted a number of frequently occurring factors such as unacceptable refrigerator temperatures and foods which had passed their use by/best before dates. Student feedback indicated that the safari was much appreciated as a practical way of learning about food safety. Originality/value ? The refrigerator safari is a novel method for the teaching of undergraduate students about food hygiene in the domestic setting and emphasises that consumers have important roles and responsibilities in protecting themselves from food-borne infection.

Keywords: Consumers; Food poisoning; Hygiene; Refrigeration; Teaching

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00070700610668450

Publication date: 2006-06-01

The refrigerator safari: An educational tool for undergraduate students learning about the microbiological safety of food

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