Food Hygiene and Preparation – JSS2 Home Economics Lesson Note (Third Term)

Food hygiene means keeping food safe from harmful bacteria by keeping the kitchen, tools and yourself clean, and by washing, cooking, preserving and storing food properly. It is also called food sanitation. This lesson covers the rules for food hygiene and the preparation of simple snacks and drinks: pineapple drink, sugar syrup and plantain chips.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain the meaning of food hygiene and why it is important;
• state guidelines and rules for food hygiene;
• prepare pineapple drink and sugar syrup;
• prepare plantain chips as a simple snack.

What is food hygiene and why is it important?

Food hygiene means preventing harmful bacteria from growing in food, by keeping the kitchen, appliances, tools, and yourself clean as well as washing, cooking, preserving, and storing food properly. This is also called food sanitation.

Food hygiene is very important to health. This is because harmful bacteria can grow in food until the food becomes unsafe to eat. These bacteria are tiny living things that multiply rapidly. They can be seen only with a microscope. They spread food-borne diseases such as salmonella poisoning and botulism.

What are the guidelines and rules for food hygiene?

• Wash cooking utensils, cutting boards, and other surfaces thoroughly every time you prepare food.
• Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
• Wash the tops of cans, such as canned milk, tomatoes, salad cream and corned beef, before opening them.
• Keep pets such as cats and dogs out of the kitchen.
• Use a clean plate for cooked food. Never use the same plate that holds the raw food.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before working with food and after using the toilet.
• Use a tissue when you must sneeze or cough, and turn away from the food. Then wash your hands.
• Cover and store leftover food in the refrigerator.
• Cover your hair when in the kitchen to keep the hair out of the food.
• If an insecticide is used to kill pests, do not allow it to come in contact with food or with surfaces, utensils or containers that will touch food.

How do you prepare simple drinks and snacks?

Pineapple drink

Recipe

• ¼ of a medium-sized pineapple
• 1 tsp lime juice (if desired)
• Syrup to taste
• 280 ml clean cold water

Procedure

1. Wash the whole pineapple.
2. Cut off the required size.
3. Peel and grate the pineapple.
4. Add water to the grated pineapple and pass it through a clean strainer.
5. Add lime juice, syrup and water. Mix properly.
6. Chill and serve.

Preparation of sugar syrup

Recipe

• 80 g granulated sugar
• 1 cup of water

Procedure

1. Place the sugar in a clean saucepan.
2. Add water.
3. Bring the mixture to the boil.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer until the syrup is slightly thick.
5. Leave to cool.

Preparation of simple snacks (chips)

Chips can be prepared from green plantain, yam, potatoes, etc.

Recipe

• 2 fingers of green plantain
• 50 ml vegetable oil
• Salt to taste

Procedure

1. Wash and peel the plantain.
2. Slice thinly.
3. Season lightly with salt.
4. Fry in deep oil until it is crisp and light brown.
5. Drain in a clean basket or on kitchen paper. Serve hot.

Evaluation

1. Explain the meaning of food hygiene.
2. Outline five guidelines for food hygiene.

Assignment

Write out the recipe and the procedure for preparing plantain chips.