What are the three types of hazards found in food?

The correct answer highlights the three primary types of hazards that can be associated with food: physical, chemical, and biological. Understanding these categories is essential for ensuring food safety.

Physical hazards refer to foreign objects that can contaminate food, such as pieces of metal, glass, or plastic. These can pose significant risks of injury if ingested by consumers. Proper food handling and preparation practices are necessary to minimize the risk of physical hazards.

Chemical hazards include any harmful substances that can contaminate food, such as pesticides, food additives, cleaning agents, and allergens. These can lead to adverse health effects if consumed, making it critical for food handlers to ensure that foods are free from harmful chemicals, are stored and prepared correctly, and that all chemicals used in the kitchen are properly labeled and stored.

Biological hazards encompass a wide range of microorganisms that can cause foodborne illnesses, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. This is the most significant category concerning food safety, as many foodborne illnesses are linked to the presence of these microorganisms. Effective cooking, cleaning, proper food storage, and hygiene practices help to mitigate these risks.

While other options may contain terms that are associated with food hazards, they do not encompass the full spectrum of hazards that food could