Food Safety Resources Reviews

General Information

The material is very easy to read and understand with no unnecessary redundancies and appropriate images, concepts, and charts. It is designed to offer helpful recommendations and GENERAL guidance for intended audience with a simple "rule-of-thumb" safety margin approach.

There are some key components that are completely omitted or insufficiently emphasized, which may be risky to rely on individual judgment calls, such as in regards to not amply itemizing and detailing rapid cooling techniques and time/temperature windows.

A good, general, easy-to-read and understand booklet. It can suffice as an introduction to the correct mindset (attention to diligence) when used within appropriate context by the intended target audience. It contains many good simple recommendations that exceed Food Code requirements to error on the "safe side."

A good, general, easy-to-read and understand booklet. It can suffice as an introduction to the correct mindset (attention to diligence) when used within appropriate context by the intended target audience. It contains many good simple recommendations that exceed Food Code requirements to error on the "safe side." There are some key components that are completely omitted or insufficiently emphasized, which may be risky to rely on individual judgment calls, such as in regards to not amply itemizing and detailing rapid cooling techniques and time/temperature windows. Although, it is designed to offer helpful recommendations and GENERAL guidance for intended audience with a simple "rule-of-thumb" safety margin approach.

Recommended with Reservations

Purpose:

Purpose of resource is clearly stated in title or introduction

 Yes

If not, please explain:

Organization:

Resource is well-organized and major points are presented clearly. Resource does not assume that reader has background information.

Yes

If not, please give specific examples:

Accuracy:

Information, technical or otherwise, is accurate and recommendations are current.

Yes

If not, please give specific examples:

Consistency with Current Food Code

The latest version of the Food Code is used and the information is consistent with that code.

No

If not, please give specific examples:

The holding temperature "danger zone" is stated as 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit, instead of 41-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Microwave reheating portion does mention to achieve 165 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature, but does not specify to let stand covered for two minutes. Also, it states to wash food contact surfaces prior to switching uses and recommends on how these surfaces "may" be sanitized, but does not clarify necessity, nor state the frequency and procedure specifications of correct washing-sanitizing prior to re-use.

Learning Activities, Questions, Projects, or Interactive Learning Tools:

Resource includes a variety of stimulating and interesting learning experiences, questions, projects, or suggestions for further action that will involve the audience (e.g., an activity where the participant rates their current food safety practices).

Material is designed to be used without learning activities, questions, projects, or interactive learning tools.

If not, pleae give specific examples:

The material is intended for use by volunteers preparing food for large groups at community type events.

Special Interests:

Resource is geared toward special needs and interests of intended target audience(s).

Yes

If not, please explain:

Scope:

Scope of information is appropriate for target audience(s) and essential topics are discussed in appropriate detail.

No

Please explain:

The scope of information introduced is indeed appropriate in detail for target audience, but several key topics did not appear to be sufficiently emphasized or were entirely absent, such as proper handwashing technique, importance of attaining food from a credible/approved source, and method of serving ready-to-eat foods so as to prevent contamination by patrons.

Summary:

All major ideas are summarized or reviewed to reinforce key concepts; summaries are easily identified.

No

If not, please give specific examples:

This literature briefly made some key points for most major food safety topics and was not structured with the conventional introduction, such as detailed text and then reinforcing summary format.

Objectivity/Sponsor Bias:

Subject matter is presented objectively and fairly. No brand name is mentioned or obvious sponsor bias.

Yes

Positive Role Models:

Positive role models are provided in text and illustrations. Role models are presented as having many roles, traits, and emotions.

No

If not, please explain

Yes

If not, please give specific examples:

Instructional Aids:

Not Needed

If not needed, please explain:

This is a booklet with conservative recommendations, which are easy to read and digest. Further aids are not necessary for the implied scope.

Availability of Aids:

If aids do not exist or are not necessary, please explain:

Instructor’s Guide:

Instructor’s guide is included with suggestions for enhancing audiovisual presentation, pre-, and post-showing. Suggestions or follow-up learning activities/discussion questions are included.

If instructor’s guide is not included, is one needed?

Please explain:

Instructor Resources:

Instructor resources are included and reinforce the information provided in the curriculum.

If instructor resources are not included, should they be included to reinforce the information provided in the curriculum?

Please explain:

Student Resources:

Student resources are included and reinforce the information provided in the curriculum.

If student resources are not included, should they be included to reinforce the information provided in the curriculum?

Please explain:

Credits, References, and Resources (including dates, publishers, etc.):

Complete credits, current references, date produced, and resources listed are up-to-date (credits may be on video package).

If not, please give specific examples:

Vocabulary is appropriate for intended audience(s).Resource minimizes use of technical terms and if used, they are defined.

Yes

If not, please give specific examples:

Main ideas are clear and flow smoothly.

Yes

If not, please give specific examples:

Writing approach is positive, personal and involves the reader. Active voice is used most of the time.

Yes

If not, please explain:

Illustrations contribute to the resource and are on the same page as their text references.Tables and graphs are simple, easy-to-read, and in a form requiring no further explanation.

Yes

If not, please give specific examples:

Illustrations contribute to the material and are on the same page as their text references.Active voice is used most of the time.

Yes

If not, please give specific examples:

Resource uses a heavy weight paper and print from one side cannot be seen on the other side. Text is written in a font size greater than 11 point type, is not difficult to read, and the main body of print is not written in capital letters.

Yes

Please comment:

The visual quality of the material is indeed very reader-friendly.

Color, design, and layout of resource are attractive and stimulate interest without being too busy. A good balance between print and blank space is on the page.

Yes

Please comment:

The visual layout and design utilize effective color schemes, contrast, simplicity, clarity, etc. and thus facilitates a pleasant and simple optical flow.

Clear headings are provided for each topic area.

Yes

If headings are not provided for each topic area, would they be helpful? Please explain: