contamination of food


contamination of food

The presence, introduction, or development of infectious or toxic material in food. Food may be contaminated by chemical residues (such as pesticides), bacteria (Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria), viruses (hepatitis A, Norwalk), protozoa (Giardia), worms (tapeworms and roundworms), molds (Aspergillus), or toxins (botulinum, staphylococcal enterotoxin). See also: food