Food Hygiene and Safety
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
Aims of the course are to acquire (i) of the main concepts of food safety and foodborne illnesses; (ii) the knowledge of the hazards (biological, chemical, and physical) and the risks associated to food; (iii) the knowledge and understanding of the methods used in epidemiological surveillance and in the study of foodborne outbreaks; (iv) the knowledge of foodborne diseases with significant impact in Italy and Europe; (v) the knowledge of food legislation aimed to ensure product safety and consumer health; (vi) the understanding of the principles of development and application of control systems (HACCP and official control) to guarantee food hygiene and safety along the production and distribution chains.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should know the food contamination routes, food contaminants and associated risks. The student should also have become able to understand the dynamics of foodborne outbreaks occurring in the population and to know the intervention and prevention strategies based on current legislation.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
Lessons will take place remotely, in synchronous or asynchronous mode, as scheduled for the current semester. The Microsoft Teams platform will be used for lessons in synchronous mode and the videos will be available on the Ariel dedicated website, together with all presentations (.pdf). Videos of the asynchronous lessons will also be available in Ariel.
Exams (written and oral parts) will take place remotely, using Exam.net and Microsoft Teams.
Exams (written and oral parts) will take place remotely, using Exam.net and Microsoft Teams.
Course syllabus
1.Food hygiene:
- Foodborne diseases: aetiology and epidemiology; causes of the increase of foodborne diseases worldwide; epidemiological surveillance systems (general and special); the study of food-borne outbreaks; the impact of foodborne diseases in Italy and Europe.
- Main contaminants (biological, chemical and physical); methods of contamination (endogenous and exogenous) of food; main food categories associated with the risk of foodborne diseases.
- Environmental hygiene and hygiene of personnel in the food sector.
- Prevention and control of foodborne diseases: surveillance, training of food sector personnel, control systems.
2.Food safety and quality
- Food legislation: evolution in recent decades and current legislation in the field of food safety.
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP).
- Production process control methods: self-control system in accordance to the HACCP method (definitions and objectives, the seven principles of the HACCP); official public health controls.
- Food quality: quality systems (organization, procedures, processes, resources).
- Foodborne diseases: aetiology and epidemiology; causes of the increase of foodborne diseases worldwide; epidemiological surveillance systems (general and special); the study of food-borne outbreaks; the impact of foodborne diseases in Italy and Europe.
- Main contaminants (biological, chemical and physical); methods of contamination (endogenous and exogenous) of food; main food categories associated with the risk of foodborne diseases.
- Environmental hygiene and hygiene of personnel in the food sector.
- Prevention and control of foodborne diseases: surveillance, training of food sector personnel, control systems.
2.Food safety and quality
- Food legislation: evolution in recent decades and current legislation in the field of food safety.
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP).
- Production process control methods: self-control system in accordance to the HACCP method (definitions and objectives, the seven principles of the HACCP); official public health controls.
- Food quality: quality systems (organization, procedures, processes, resources).
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge provided by the biological disciplines covered in the three-year degree courses, in particular in the microbiological field.
Teaching methods
The program will be carried out through lectures (6 credits) with the aid of didactic material (slide and/or video projections). Students will be actively involved in the discussion of the topics covered to improve their critical and expression skills.
All teaching materials will be available on the Ariel platform on the dedicated website.
All teaching materials will be available on the Ariel platform on the dedicated website.
Teaching Resources
- Roggi C., Turconi T. Igiene degli alimenti e nutrizione umana. La sicurezza alimentare. Edizioni Mediche Scientifiche Internazionali, Roma.
- Galli Volonterio A. Microbiologia degli alimenti Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano
Lecture presentations (.pdf) and other didactic material (notes of the lessons on specific topics, scientific articles, links to websites, etc.) available on the dedicated Ariel website.
- Galli Volonterio A. Microbiologia degli alimenti Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano
Lecture presentations (.pdf) and other didactic material (notes of the lessons on specific topics, scientific articles, links to websites, etc.) available on the dedicated Ariel website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of:
1. a written test on the contents of the course. The test consists of multiple choice questions (one correct answers) with a time available of 45 minutes. The test is passed with at least 60% correct answers.
2. a critical discussion on the topics covered in the written test, aimed at an in-depth assessment of the knowledge acquired.
The final examination mark is expressed in thirtieths.
There are no intermediate tests.
1. a written test on the contents of the course. The test consists of multiple choice questions (one correct answers) with a time available of 45 minutes. The test is passed with at least 60% correct answers.
2. a critical discussion on the topics covered in the written test, aimed at an in-depth assessment of the knowledge acquired.
The final examination mark is expressed in thirtieths.
There are no intermediate tests.
MED/42 - HYGIENE AND PUBLIC HEALTH - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Bianchi Silvia, Tanzi Elisabetta
Professor(s)