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Clemson University Extension Nutrition and Food Safety Programs help children, youth, and families improve their lives through partnerships that put experience and knowledge to work.
Food Safety
According to public health and food safety experts, 76 million illnesses in this country can be traced to
foodborne bacteria each year. Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration estimates that two to three percent of all foodborne illnesses lead to secondary long-term illnesses. Food Marketing Institute research shows that consumers know that food safety is important and know that they personally should observe sound food-handling practices. However, it also shows either that they do not fully comprehend some of the most important messages or they fail to use food safety measures. For example, 85% of consumers understand the importance of washing hands vigorously when handling food, but only 65% always do so. The need to constantly communicate food safety messages is underlined by continued changes in food safety recommendations for both consumers and the food service industry.
Travel and tourism and the related retail food service industry are South Carolina’s
largest economic driver. Training retail managers and employees in safe food
handling practices is key to maintaining a healthy tourism experience and to
repeat visitors.
How safe are your food preparation practices? Find out by taking The Clean Kitchen Test.
Nutrition
The economic impact of obesity and associated chronic disease has been estimated
to be approximately $1 billion in South Carolina alone and $100 billion nationwide.
Obesity in children and adolescents has been associated with several chronic
disease states including diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and gall bladder disease.
Several studies document that prevalence of type II diabetes is increasing
among children and adolescents. Children who are overweight are at increased
risk of becoming overweight or obese adults. Nationally, the prevalence of
adult obesity increased 75% between 1991 and 2000 (from 22.9% to 30.5%). Adult
obesity is an important risk factor for several chronic disease conditions.
Approximately 14% of the South Carolina population is low income and is at
higher risk for food insecurity obesity. The causes of obesity are complex
and include genetics, lack of physical activity, and high-fat, energy-dense
foods, which are readily accessible, inexpensive, heavily advertised, and palatable.
Furthermore, individuals who are overweight may not eat more than normal-weight
individuals, but instead may have a positive energy balance due to low-energy
output.
A recent review of the dietary intake, food resource management practices, nutrition
practices and food safety 
practices of parents in South Carolina reveals that
only 14% demonstrated acceptable food resource management practices; 9% demonstrated
acceptable nutrition practices; 46% demonstrated acceptable food safety practices;
27.4% consume an adequate number of servings of breads and cereals; 20.8% consume
an adequate number of servings of fruit; 20.8% consume an adequate number of
servings of vegetables; 10.1% consume an adequate number of servings of dairy;
and, 2.4% consume a food pattern with a 6-2-3-2-2 pattern of intake from
the food groups. Only 12% of Americans eat a healthy diet consistent with federal
nutrition recommendations. The typical American diet is too high in saturated
fat, salt, and refined sugar and too low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
calcium, and fiber. Only 2% of school-aged children meet the Food Guide Pyramid
serving recommendations for all 5 major food groups, and not more than 30% eat
the recommended amount from any 1 of the 5 major food groups. There is a need
to increase food safety through improved processing and packaging, screen vegetables
for pesticides and develop new diagnostic procedures for animal pathogens.
Childhood overweight and obesity is a serious health issue, with the prevalence
reaching epidemic proportions and more than doubling in the last three decades,
with even higher rates among subpopulations of minority and economically disadvantaged
children and adolescents.
Through partnerships in our communities, we have been able to:
Impact
EFNEP Nutrition Educator Assistants (NEAs) conducted approximately
4,000 educational programs in nutrition and health each year. You can view the EFNEP impact report online.
A total of 916 food handlers participated in a 10-hour certification course
in food handling and passed an exam to receive a certificate. Counties conducted
50 food safety education programs Farm to Processing, including Biotechnology,
reaching 607 people. Of this number, 606 reported an increase in knowledge and
87 adopted a recommended practice.
Food Safety and Nutrition Educators conducted 383 educational programs for the
general public in the area of food safety and nutrition, reaching 6,107 adults.
Of the adults participating in the educational programs, 4,639 reported increased
knowledge; 1,877 reported the intent to adopt practices; and 347 reported that
they had adopted practices because of participation in the educational program.
Educators conducted 412 educational programs through the media. Media press
kits (750) were distributed to media channels throughout the state. Print media
was one outlet, with 13,767 column inches of information on food safety and
nutrition appearing in newspapers and other publications. In addition, educators
provided 804 minutes of radio airtime and 1,009 minutes of television airtime
in the area of food safety and nutrition.
Counties conducted 112 food handling educational programs reaching 1,333 people.
Of this number, 1,295 reported an increase in knowledge, 925 planned to adopt
practices, and 50 reported adopting a &recommended practice. There were
25 new or value-added food products or packages entering the market as a result
of the program.
Our Nutrition and Food Safety Education Programs continually seek ways improve
the health and well-being of the people of South Carolina.
American Diabetes Association
American Dietetic Association
American Heart Association
CSREES Food, Nutrition & Health Emphasis Area - addresses issues related to diet, health, food safety, food security, and food science and technology
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition - Clemson University
Dole 5 A Day - fun activities to motivate people to eat more fruits and vegetables
EFNEP - Expanded Food
and Nutrition Education Program
Fight BAC! - Keep Food Safe from Bacteria
Food and Health Communications - provides information on nutrition and healthy
lifestyles
Food and Nutrition Information Center - provides credible, accurate, and practical nutrition resources
Food Safety and Preservation Documents - from the Clemson University Home & Garden Information Center
Food Safety Information Center - at the National Agricultural Library
Food Service Warehouse - health & safety in your commercial kitchen
Instructional Materials in Nutrition - provides useful Internet educational resources
Lucy’s Tasty Treasures - a fun way to learn about nutrition
MyPyramid.gov - access point for the U.S.D.A. food guidance system
NIRC - Nutrition Information & Resource Center
Nutrition.gov - provides easy access to the best food and nutrition information
Nutri-Web - online nutrition library and lending resource at Clemson University
Ohioline, Food - nutrition, food safety, & health fact sheets provided by The Ohio State University
Recipe Guidelines for Extension programs
School Food Services & Nutrition - guarantees high quality food and nutrition programs in every S.C. school district
ServSafe Program - the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s food safety training program
Trans Fat Nutrition Labeling - FDA’s guidance document
“So Easy to Preserve” Video Series / Book - offered through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
For more information on nutrition and food safety, contact Katherine Cason.
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