April 15, 2013 Bacteria Contamination The definition of bacterial contamination is food contamination refers to foods that are spoiled or tainted because they either contain microorganisms, such as bacteria or parasites, or toxic substances that make them unfit for consumption
This is very serious and people should take more precaution, food contamination is a serious because it results in foodborne diseases that each year affect an estimated seventy-six million people in the United States, while leading to some 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. Awareness of potential sources of food contamination is an important component of good nutrition.
Food contamination can be microbial or environmental, with the former being more common. Environmental contaminants that can enter the food supply chain include pesticides, heavy metals, and other chemical agents. Many opportunities exist for food to become contaminated as it is produced and distributed. Bacteria are present in the animals raised for food. Meat and poultry can become contaminated during slaughter through cross-contamination from intestinal fecal matter. Similarly, fresh fruits and vegetables can be contaminated if they are washed using water contaminated with animal manure or human sewage. During food processing, contamination is also possible from infected food handlers. Lastly, poor hygiene in the home is also a factor.
Many bacteria can contaminate food. The most common is Campylobacter jejuni. When mishandling of raw poultry and consumption of undercooked poultry are the main causes of C. jejuni contamination.
Bacterial contamination is a situation which occurs when bacteria end up in a location where they are not supposed to be. It is often used to refer to contamination of food by bacteria which can cause disease, but bacterial contamination can also occur in other settings. This situation is not desirable, because it can pose a health threat and cause