Foodborne Outbreak Investigation Series Course 1

Foodborne Outbreak Investigation Series Course 1

The Foodborne Outbreak Investigations Series (FOIs) is an online self-paced training focused on promoting a multi-disciplinary approach to the investigation of foodborne disease outbreak investigations. 

The first course in a seven course series lays the foundation for the Food Safety CoE Epidemiology Tier 1 Core Curriculum.

FOIs courses 1 introduces foodborne illness outbreak investigation from farm to fork and provides a comprehensive overview of the roles and responsibilities for outbreak team members. The purpose is to provide learners with the foundational knowledge needed to recognize the essential elements of a foodborne disease investigation. 

Accessing the Virtual Courses:

Register in the K@TE Learning Management System: https://tennessee.csod.com/selfreg/register.aspx?p=tennessee&c=cafsp

Access your existing K@TE account: https://tennessee.csod.com/client/tennessee/default.aspx

Course Delivery and Requirements 

Courses are online and self-paced through the University of Tennessee K@TE system. This course:

  • Require a pretest and posttest.
  • 4 hours in length
  • Upon completion you can download a certificate for continuing education units (CEUs).
  • Courses are offered in both English and Spanish.

Overview FOIs Course 1: Foodborne Outbreak Investigation and Response Team Roles and Responsibilities: Part A 

Module 1

  • Introduces the integrated food system and the complexities of the food supply.
  • Understand what constitutes a foodborne illness and identify common pathogens.
  • Gain a clear understanding of important terms such as “outbreak” and “cluster.”
  • Analyze how local, state, and national agencies fit into an integrated food safety system.

Module 2

  • Introduces the goals of a foodborne outbreak investigation.
  • Explore the three core disciplines and the interaction between them.
  • Review case studies demonstrating a spectrum of outbreak and response levels.

Module 3

  • Identify potential barriers to effective foodborne outbreak response and approaches to assist with overcoming these barriers.

Module 4

  • Explore ways to improve communication among outbreak investigation team members and others.
  • Considerations for communicating with the media about a foodborne disease outbreak.

This course is currently unavailable. Please check back in early 2026 for access. In the meantime, if you need assistance identifying an alternative training please contact Siobhan Dodds at siobhan.dodds@tn.gov.