Chapter 27: Food Safety

What is a foodborne illness?

-A foodborne illness is sickness caused by consuming contaminated food or beverages. -It is also referred to as foodborne disease or food poisoning.

Bacteria

-Bacteria are microscopic organisms that can exist and flourish on both living and non-living surfaces. Many bacteria are harmless, and some are beneficial. -Pathogenic bacteria, however, is responsible for causing illness.

What are the most common ways to contract a foodborne illness?

-Drinking water that has been contaminated with feces from an infected person or animal. -Putting unwashed hands (or anything for that matter) into your mouth. -Consuming feces contaminated food. -All of the above transmission routes are referred to as fecal-to-oral transmission.

What groups of people are the most susceptible to foodborne illness?

-Elderly -Young children -People who are immune compromised.

Toxins

-Harmful chemicals produced by living organisms.

What are pathogens?

-Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms (microbes).

What pathogens are most likely to cause foodborne illness?

-Viruses -Bacteria -Parasites

Viruses

-Viruses are microscopic organisms that must have a living "host," such as a plant or an animal to survive. -Viruses then infect the host and can cause illness.

True or False: Foods that can make you sick always smell bad.

False. A food can contain disease-causing bacteria that can make you ill, yet smell perfectly fine. An "off" smell in food is more likely a sign of spoilage.

True or False: Children are less vulnerable than adults to foodborne illnesses.

False. Children's immune systems are underdeveloped and they weigh less than adults so they're at higher risk.

True or False: Freezing foods kills bacteria.

False. Freezing doesn't kill bacteria but puts them in a dormant state.

True or False: The bacteria that cause food spoilage are the same bacteria that cause foodborne illness.

False. The bacteria that cause food spoilage and the bacteria that cause foodborne illness are different.

True or False: Organic foods can sometimes contain synthetic pesticides.

True. Some synthetic pesticides have been approved for use on organic crops.

True or False: Viruses can't survive on their own without an animal, plant, or human host.

True. Viruses can't reproduce themselves outside of living hosts.