Food Contamination

Food contamination is:

• the presence of harmful substances in food

• the process of cooking food

• the act of storing food properly

• the method of serving food

Food can become contaminated:

• at any stage of production, processing, or preparation

• only during cooking

• only when stored in the refrigerator

• only after it is served

Food can be contaminated by:

• bacteria

• plastic

• wood

• glass

Food contamination falls into four categories. Fill in the blank: One category of food contamination is _________.

• Allergenic

• Mechanical

• Thermal

• Nutritional

Physical, foreign bodies are the biggest cause of food complaints and are all physical objects that shouldn’t be there. Which of the following is an example of a physical foreign body in food?

• Hair

• Water

• Salt

• Sugar

Fill in the blank: Some examples of physical foreign bodies include hair, jewellery, flies and insects, nuts, bolts, washers, string, glass, packaging, tinfoil, and _________?

• false fingernails

• plastic spoons

• paper towels

• rubber bands

Microbial food contamination can be caused by several sources. Name two sources mentioned in the passage.

• Viruses, molds, naturally poisonous foods, harmful bacteria (any two)

• Salt and sugar

• Vitamins and minerals

• Clean water and fresh air

Bacteria are:

• Single-celled microorganisms

• Large animals

• Types of plants

• Minerals

There are thousands of forms of bacteria, the ones concerning us are pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Which of the following types of bacteria are mentioned as concerning to humans?

• Pathogenic and spoilage bacteria

• Beneficial and harmful bacteria

• Aquatic and terrestrial bacteria

• None of the above

How can viruses enter the body?

• Through contaminated food or water

• Only through the air

• Only by touching surfaces

• Only by animal bites