Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 7
Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.
SAQ 7.1 (tests Learning Outcome 7.1)
What category of unsafe food is applicable to each of the following?
- Pineapple juice that has been diluted with water from an unprotected source.
- A packet of tea that contains grains of sand as well as tea leaves.
- A packet of tea labelled 100g but actually only contains 70g of tea.
- Tilapia that were caught the day before yesterday and not kept cool or covered.
- Cooking oil that is sold in a plastic bottle that previously contained engine oil.
Answer
- The diluted pineapple juice is potentially contaminated.
- The packet of tea with sand has been adulterated if the sand was added deliberately, or it could just be contaminated.
- The 100g packet of tea that only contained 70g was misbranded.
- The tilapia are potentially hazardous.
- The cooking oil is probably contaminated.
SAQ 7.2 (tests Learning Outcome 7.2)
What is the principal objective of food hygiene and why is it important for public health?
Answer
Food hygiene means adopting practices and behaviours that protect food from being unsafe to eat. This is a very important aspect of public health because many diseases can be transmitted to humans via food that is unsafe.
SAQ 7.3 (tests Learning Outcome 7.3)
Outline three reasons why food is important to people. Which do you think is the most important reason and why?
Answer
Food is essential to maintain all life processes, i.e. for growth, tissue repair and all other physiological functions of the body. It also serves a social function in families and communities. Thirdly it can have an effect on the emotional feeling and psychological condition of an individual.
The first reason has to be the most important because we would die without food.
SAQ 7.4 (tests Learning Outcomes 7.1 and 7.4)
Why is it important to adopt a ‘farm to table’ approach to food control?
Answer
Food control is the system that regulates the food industry by checking that food laws and regulations are followed. It is important to cover all stages in the food supply chain, from the producers on the farm, through all stages of processing and transport to the consumer where the food is eaten. This is important because food hazards may arise at any stage and, by monitoring the whole supply chain, preventive measures can be put in place at the appropriate point.
Summary of Study Session 7