Build A
Better Body
Clean and Safe Assessment
Answer the questions to determine if your kitchen is clean and safe. Each yes answer is worth 2 points.
1.
Do you wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm running water before preparing any food?
2.
Before preparing foods, do you wash counter tops with warm soapy water, then wipe with a mild bleach
solution?
3.
Do you keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold when preparing and serving foods?
4.
Do you leave foods in the Danger Zone, 40º-135º, for as short amount of time as possible after you have
prepared the dish?
5.
Do you know the temperature of your freezer and refrigerator?
6.
7.
8.
9.
Do you bring your refrigerated foods home from the store in a cooler?
Build A
Better Body
Volume V
2009
Clean and Safe
As a family day care provider, one of your critical responsibilities
is to keep the food you purchase, prepare and serve as safe as
possible. Poor personal habits, careless handling of foods and
unsafe food preparation methods can cause illness that could
be very serious for children and family members. Foods most
likely to cause food poisoning are called potentially hazardous
foods. They include, but are not limited to: meat, fish, poultry,
dairy, eggs, raw fruits and vegetables, heated vegetables
left at room temperature too long, and foods containing raw
eggs.
SafetyFirst
First
Safety
Foods can become unsafe
through six main food handling
mistakes, so ask yourself:
Do you clean the refrigerator and freezer on a routine basis?
• Do I wash my hands when necessary and practice good personal hygiene practices when preparing food?
Do you avoid eating raw cookie dough that was made with raw eggs?
• Do I make certain that the
food I am preparing is not
spoiled or contaminated?
Do you refrigerate leftovers immediately?
Remember, though, that many germs are not visible to the human eye and have no odor.
• Do I store foods properly?
10.
Do you thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, not on the counter top?
If you scored lower than 16 points, re-read the tips and change your habits to score 100%.
West Virginia Board of Education
2008-2009
Dr. Steven L. Paine
State Superintendent of Schools
Delores W. Cook, President; Priscilla M. Haden, Vice President; Jenny N. Phillips, Secretary
Robert W. Dunlevy, Member; Barbara N. Fish, Member; Burma Hatfield, Member
Lowell E. Johnson, Member; L. Wade Linger, Jr., Member; Gayle C. Manchin, Member
Brian E. Noland, Ex Officio; James L. Skidmore, Ex Officio; Steven L. Paine, Ex Officio
Choose wisely the foods you serve
• Shop only at reliable, clean stores
• Use only pasteurized milk
• No home canned foods may be served to children in your care
• Throw out any leaking, damaged or bulging cans or jars
• If foods smell or look suspicious, toss it
• Do I handle food carefully?
• Do I work with clean
equipment in a clean
kitchen?
• Do I protect food supplies
from insects or rodents?
Store foods correctly
• Store foods at the correct temperatures - Refrigerator 32-41º, Freezer 0º or below , Pantry 65º-70º and determine temperatures by using an appropriate thermometer
• Toss leftovers after 72 hours
Safety
Pay attention to ‘use by’ or ‘sell by’ dates on packages. ‘Sell
by’ tells the shelf life for food. After this date the food may still
be safe for eating if it has been handled and stored properly.
‘Use by’ indicates the last date foods will be of the highest
quality. After that, quality will change though the food may
still be safe to eat if it has been stored and handled properly.
West Virginia Department of Education
TIPS
Start with Personal Hygiene
• Always wash your hands
before you begin to
handle foods
• Wash your hands every
time after you:
-- Use the bathroom,
change a diaper or
assist a child in the
bathroom
-- Touch your face, hair,
nose, mouth or any
infected part of your
body
-- Help children blow
their noses, wipe
their mouths, clean
their hands, change
a bandage or handle
their toys
-- Blow your nose,
sneeze or cough
-- Touch dirty rags,
clothing or work
surfaces
-- Clear away dirty dishes
and utensils
-- Touch raw foods
especially meat, fish or
poultry
-- Handle money or
smoke
• Keep fingernails clean and
short
• Have someone else
prepare food if you are
sick
• Keep hair clean and pulled
back
Build A
Better Body
How clean is your kitchen?
Regularly clean your kitchen, equipment and eating area
after each meal.
Build A
Better Body
NUTRITION
TOOL!
Wash the can opener after each use. This can be a real
germ-growing place.
Let dishes and utensils air dry, rather than towel dry, but
avoid putting things away still wet. The wetness can grow
germs. Better yet, clean everything in the dish washer.
Store opened foods in tightly sealed containers to avoid
putting out the welcome mat for insects and vermin.
Yummy Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
Apple, washed and sliced
Orange, washed, peeled and sliced
Banana, peeled
Berries or pear, washed and sliced
6oz Orange flavored yogurt
Method:
Assist children in washing their hands. Wash fruit, showing
the children how to scrub fruit clean. Give each child a piece
or portion of fruit along with a plastic serrated knife, clean
plastic cutting board or plate. Let children slice fruit into bite
size pieces and place in mixing bowl. Add flavored yogurt and
mix gently. Chill for 30 minutes and serve as a snack.
Take out the garbage promptly and keep outdoor garbage
area clean and away from the house.
No food should be stored under the sink
No animal litter boxes allowed in the kitchen, no animals
in the kitchen during meal prep and certainly not on the
counters at any time.
Have a regular pest control plan and if you do have a problem, take care of it immediately following direction carefully.
Remember: Keeping foods safe takes knowledge and effort!
Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. 6th Edition, Washington, D.C: U.S.
Government printing Office, January 2005.
Team Nutrition, U.S. Department of Agriculture
American Dietetic Association
Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service
Journal of American Medical Association
www.mypyramid.gov
ACTIVITY
TOOL!
Wash our Hands, Wash our Hands
Demonstrate for the children how to correctly wash their hands
for 20 seconds, singing the ABC song. Show them how to wash
palms, backs of hands, in between fingers and nails carefully
to remove dirt and germs. Invite them to dance and sing “Old
MacDonald Had a Farm” as they get ready to eat.
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or retaliation. If
you require information about this program, activity or facility in a language other than English, contact the
USDA agency responsible for the program or activity, or any USDA office. If you require this information
in alternative format (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)
720-2600 (Voice or TDD).
To file a complaint of alleging discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD
users can contact the USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866)
377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.