Foodborne illness

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/foodborne-illness

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the core prevention principles?Clean, Separate, Cook to proper temperatures, and Chill perishable foods promptly
2. What is the economic impact?Includes healthcare costs, lost productivity, recalls, and damage to food industry reputation
3. How do germs get into our food?Germs can get into food from dirty water, animal poop, or from raw foods that touch ready‑to‑eat foods. They can also come from handling food with unclean hands or surfaces.
4. Why is it important to wash our hands before cooking?Washing hands removes germs that could stick to food. Clean hands help stop germs from spreading to the food you eat.

Pathogenicity: The ability of a microorganism to cause disease.
Cross-contamination: The transfer of harmful microorganisms from one item or surface to another.
Food Surveillance: Monitoring systems to detect and track foodborne illnesses and outbreaks.