(Upper Primary)
Life Event: Take a Look at Food Safety
(To uphold food safety in the world)
Objectives / : / To set specific goals (short- or long-term) to uphold food safety in the world as a member of the global village.To understand the idea and responsibilities of world citizenship and concern about the well-being of people.
To broaden horizons of the world through learning about global common issues.
Values / : / Commitment, integrity, awareness of world citizenship
Materials / : / “On the Buffet Table...” PowerPoint (Appendix 1)
“Take a Look at Food Safety” Reference Material (Appendix 2)
Duration / : / 35 minutes
Mode / : / Class Teacher Period/Moral and Civic Education Lesson/Life Education Lesson/General Studies Lesson/Others
Procedures:
Steps / Key Learning PointsActivity 1: On the Buffet Table… (7 mins)
- View the PowerPoint presentation (Appendix 1).
- Ask students to raise hands and answer the question, “How many countries’ foodsare there in the buffet?” Teachers may prepare small gifts for those who give the correct answer.
- Ask them to point out the issues concerning the foods in the buffet (Update the current food issue when teaching.). Invite students to talk about the issue briefly.
- Summary: In recent years, we show much concern aboutproblems with food products which are harmful to our health. A lot of these products are found in the mainland and overseas. Hong Kong is a rather safe place. However,as we now live in a globalised world with blurred boundaries, international affairs are very much part of our lives.
- Have students divided into groups.
- Ask students to read Appendix 2 and discuss with group members. They should refer to discussion question (4) and set specific goals or action plans.
- Group presentation; or teachers may select a few studentsto give views.
- Explain that food safety is only an example to show that different parts of the world are interdependent. We need to foster the awareness of world citizenship and do our parts to uphold food safety in the world.
To understand international interdependence
To understand that food safety issues are problem we all face. International cooperation must be fostered to make it possible for the world to develop in a sustainable manner.
To reflect upon the causal effect of events.
To reflect upon one’s and the country’s responsibility towards the world.
To take note of ingredients and production details of food products/ food safety issues or news.
Conclusion (3 mins)
Reference: Hong Kong has a very strict food surveillance system. However, in a globalised world, if one country has food safety problem, we will also be affected. As a world citizen, we must set specific goals (short- or long-term goals) and realise them so as to uphold food safety in the world.
Appendix 1
“On the Buffet Table...” PowerPoint
Appendix 2
“Take a Look at Food Safety” Reference Material
Case 1:
746 toxic Taiwanese drinks hit the world, June 2011
Taiwan identified toxic plasticiser in 746 types of drinks and food products which had already been exported to 16 countries and regions around the world. It was found that a Hong Kong pharmaceutical company has used the plasticiser-polluted fragrance for drug production. Many countries have stopped importing food from Taiwan or tightened inspection.
Case 2:
Outbreak of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) infection in Germany soars, June 2011
In mid May, there was an outbreak of EHEC in Germany. At that time, many new cases were found to have eaten raw cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuces. In June, German authorities identified EHEC in bean sprouts. Nearly 4000 people in Germany and more than 120 people in 16 other countries have been infected so far.
Experts commented that more stringent measures should be put in place in the production process. Besides, the government and the market should establish a more comprehensive tracking and alert system.
Case 3:
Mainland food safety issues in recent years
“Lean meat powder”
It has been easy for mainland pig farmers to buy a “quarantine certificate for animal products”. Some unscrupulous pig farmers wanted more lean meat on their pigs so that they can get better price. They added lean meat powder into the feed. Excessive intake of this powder may lead to nausea, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, dizziness or even cancers.
“Food additives”
Food additives are indiscriminately added to mainland food products. An adult may have taken in every day 80 to 90 types of additives including antibiotics, lean meat powder, pesticide and fluorescent brightener.
“Drainage oil”
At Tangxia, Dongguan, unscrupulous merchants collected food waste and sewage mixed with sanitary napkins and toilet paper from restaurants to make cooking oil which was then sold in the wholesale market. Experts said that long-term intake of this type of oil may cause cancers.
“Fake soy sauce”
Many mainland hairdressers would sell hair. The better one was sold to wig makers while the bad one was sold to chemical factories. Some unscrupulous merchants used it to produce fake soy sauce which may cause cancers.
“Excessive nitrite”
A one and a half year old girl in Beijing died after eating fried chicken added with excessive nitrite. In Gansu, children also died from taking milk with added nitrite.
Discussion:
1.In case 1, was Hong Kong affected by the Taiwanese plasticiser? What other countries were affected?
2.In case 2, what were the reasons for the rapid spread of the EHEC inflection originated in Germany?
3.In case 3, Chinese government has stepped up measures against food safety issues in recent years. Why is the problem still there? Who should take responsibility?
4.As a member of the global village, what can we do to uphold food safety? Try to set specific goals (short-/long-term) and action plans if you werea food supplier, restaurant owner, member of public, government official orofficer of an international health organisation.
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