Teachers cop food safety homework

TEACHERS were getting the homework for a change yesterday, much to the delight of their pupils.

Food safety organisation Safefood wants to test their knowledge of food and the curriculum.

The homework took the form of the group's latest consultation document, Educating for Health.

The publication offers the first opportunity for those involved in teaching food safety and nutrition to voice concerns in a structured way.

SafeFood scientific and technical director Thomas Quigley said there was widespread concern about the safety and nutrition of the diets of young people in Ireland.

"Basic hygiene skills can prevent food poisoning and much is known about the links between poor nutrition and disease in later life," Dr Quigley said.

He said children needed basic life skills, not just in cooking but as consumers, in problem-solving and decision-making.

"We anticipate that the output of this initiative will contribute significantly to Safefood's future activity with this age group.

"This is about identifying needs and responding in a timely and informative manner."

Educating for Health is available in paper form by phoning the SafeFood helpline on 1850 40 4567.