Specific Learning Outcomes

• Identify common packaged foods found in Kenyan homes and shops (e.g., unga, biscuits, canned beans, juice, chips).
• Read simple information on labels: expiry / best-before date, ingredient highlights and storage advice.
• Explain two safety checks before buying or eating packaged food (e.g., not torn, not swollen, KEBS mark present).
• Choose healthier packaged options (less sugar, less salt, fortified flour) and explain why.
• Show how to store opened packaged food safely at home (clean jar, dry place, cover well).

Simple Safety Checks & Healthy Tips

• Do not buy or eat packs that are torn, wet or have holes. (Torn = germs can get in!)
• Do not eat canned foods if the tin is swollen or leaking. That may mean it is not safe.
• Wash your hands before opening and eating packaged food. Use a clean plate and spoon.
• Choose foods with less sugar and salt: water, fresh fruit, plain ugali or fortified unga are healthier choices than many chips and sweets.
• Pick fortified foods (like fortified unga) because they have extra vitamins to help you grow strong.

Suggested Learning Experiences (Activities)

1. Label reading game: Teacher brings three packaged foods (unga, biscuit, juice). Children work in groups to find the expiry date, storage note and KEBS mark. Award stickers for correct answers.
2. Healthy or Unhealthy sorting: Use picture cards or real packages. Children place items into two boxes: "Healthy sometimes" and "Not often". Discuss why.
3. Shop role-play: Pupils take turns being the shopkeeper and the buyer. The buyer checks the packet and asks questions like “Is it expired?” and “How should I store it?”
4. Home task: Ask learners to go home and find one packaged food and draw its label. Bring the drawing and tell the class one safety check they did with a parent.
5. Demonstration: Teacher shows how to store opened packet of flour in a clean dry jar. Children practice sealing and labelling with date opened.
6. Simple experiment: Put a whole, clean, dry packet and a torn packet on a tray for a few days (with teacher supervision). Observe which one stays cleaner and discuss.

How to Check Learning (Short Assessments)

• Ask each child to read the expiry date and storage instruction from one package.
• Give a short worksheet: circle things to check before buying (torn pack, expiry date, KEBS mark).
• Observe during role-play if the child asks safety questions and chooses a healthier option.

Tips for Parents and Teachers

• Talk to children about why some packaged foods are treats and some are everyday foods.
• Keep a few brands of safe, fortified food at home and show children the label information.
• Model washing hands, checking dates and storing food properly.