chapter 2 Flashcards
FAT TOM
Acronym for the conditions needed by most foodborne microorganisms to grow: food, acidity, temperature, time, oxygen, moisture.
Fungi
Ranging in size from microscopic, single-celled organisms to very large, multicellular organisms. Fungi most often cause food to spoil. Molds, yeasts, and mushrooms are examples.
Jaundice
Yellowing of the skin and eyes that could indicate a person is sick with hepatitis A.
Fecal-oral Route
a means of spreading pathogenic microorganisms from feces produced by an infected host to another host, usually via the mouth; e.g., contact between contaminated hands or objects and the mouth
Microorganisms
Small, living organisms that can be seen only with the aid of a microscope. There are four types of microorganisms that can contaminate food and cause foodborne illness: bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
Mold
Type of fungus that causes food spoilage. Some molds produce toxins that can cause foodborne illness.
Bacteria
Single-celled, living microorganisms that can spoil food and cause foodborne illness. Bacteria present in food can quickly multiply to dangerous levels when food is incorrectly cooked, held, or reheated. Some form spores that can survive freezing and very high temperatures.
Onset Time
How quickly foodborne-illness symptoms appear in a person
Parasite
Organism that needs to live in a host organism to survive. Parasites can be found in water and inside many animals, such as cows, chickens, pigs, and fish. Correct cooking and freezing will kill parasites. Avoiding cross-contamination and practicing correct handwashing can also prevent illness.
pH
Measure of a food’s acidity or alkalinity. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.0. A pH between 7.1 and 14 is alkaline, while a pH between 0.0 and 6.9 is acidic. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. Foodborne microorganisms grow well in food that has a neutral to slightly acidic pH (7.5 to 4.6).
Spore
Form that some bacteria can take to protect themselves when nutrients are not available. Spores are commonly found in dirt and can contaminate food grown there. A spore can resist heat, allowing it to survive cooking temperatures. Spores can also revert back to a form capable of growth. This can occur when food is not held at the correct temperature or cooled or reheated correctly.
Temperature danger zone
The temperature range between 41 ̊F and 135 ̊F (5 ̊C to 57 ̊C), within which most foodborne microorganisms rapidly grow.
Toxins
Poisons produced by pathogens, plants, or animals. Some occur in animals as a result of their diet.
Pathogens
Illness-causing microorganisms.
Yeast
Type of fungus that causes food spoilage.