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.