Discovering the world of bacteria and viruses
Food safety made easy: Through large illustrations and explanatory text, children in grade one and above can dive into the world of bacteria and viruses with the BfR children’s book “Luis’ and Maya’s Adventure in the shrinking lab: Looking for Clues in the Kitchen”. Why is it important to regularly wash your hands? How does bacteria spread in the kitchen? And what is the correct way to fill a fridge? Answers to these questions can be found in the discovery journey of the two schoolchildren Luis and Maya who visit the BfR shrinking lab, where they meet Fred the friendly bacillus. The trio follow the trail of a bacterial villain that leads them directly to the crime scene– the dark refrigerator. Together with the characters Luis and Maya, children learn about kitchen hygiene and food safety along the way. “In Germany, 100,000 people every year fall ill from consuming contaminated food – the hidden figure is likely much higher. For children especially it can be very dangerous because their immune systems are not yet completely developed. Our children’s book intends to make these topics accessible to even very young children and thus help them to protect themselves from foodborne diseases,” says Professor Andreas Hensel, President of the BfR. “The idea behind the book: while the children do their detective work, they learn why kitchen hygiene is so vitally important at the same time.”
The children’s book “Luis’ and Maya’s Adventure in the shrinking lab: Looking for Clues in the Kitchen” is aimed at children in grade one and above. The book can be ordered free of charge or read online via the BfR website https://www.bfr.bund.de/de/bfr-kinderbuch.html..
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) over 200 different diseases are caused by the consumption of contaminated food. Statistically speaking, one in ten people worldwide every year fall ill from foodborne infections – including children. Children are a particularly sensitive group as their immune systems are often not completely developed, and they must be protected as best as possible. For this reason the BfR has set itself the task to inform even the smallest children about these topics in a playful way.
While doing detective work in the kitchen, Luis and Maya get to know different bacteria and viruses. They realise very quickly that some of these can be dangerous for humans. This includes Campylobacter, the most common bacterial pathogen of intestinal infections. Contaminated or insufficiently heated poultry meat is one of the main sources of infection. A lack of kitchen hygiene in particular can cause an infection due to cross contamination, i.e. the transfer of bacteria from one food to another. Children can learn how to avoid cross contamination and defeat “Campys” in the new BfR children’s book “Luis’ and Maya’s Adventure in the shrinking lab: Looking for Clues in the Kitchen” and its large, colourful illustrations.
About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. The BfR advises the Federal Government and the States (‘Laender’) on questions of food, chemicals and product safety. The BfR conducts independent research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.
This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.