Hygiene - Food Contamination and Food-Borne Illnesses

Question 1

Signs of damaged, deteriorated, spoiled or out-of-date food

Answer 1

Bruised fruit and vegetables
Rancid smell/scent
Discolouration
Mould
A Change in texture

Question 2

Meaning of contaminant

Answer 2

A physical, microbiological or chemical substance that renders food unsuitable for consumption

Question 3

Meaning of contamination

Answer 3

The exposure of a food to a physical, microbiological or chemical substance

Question 4

Meaning of cross-contamination

Answer 4

The transference of bacteria from person to food, environment to food or food to food, which may result in food-borne illnesses.

Question 5

Meaning of potentially hazardous food

Answer 5

Any food item that is highly susceptible to the growth of microorganisms that may lead to food-borne illnesses.

Question 6

Common food allergies

Answer 6

Commonly include shellfish, eggs, fish, peanuts or tree nuts, soy beans and sesame seeds

Question 7

Common symptoms of food allergies

Answer 7

Hives, Itching, nausea, vomiting, wheezing

Question 8

Emergency response to allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis

Answer 8

Stay with the person, call for help, give medications if prescribed, locate adrenaline auto-injector and call 000

Question 9

Important consideration in the selection of foods to be handled and consumed

Answer 9

Ensure that any common food allergies are handled with care to avoid cross- contamination

Question 10

Causes of food-borne illness

Answer 10

occurs when a person ingests food contaminated with high levels of harmful bacteria and toxins. The causes of food poisoning include bacteria, bacterial toxins, viral contamination of food, cross-contamination and incorrect storage and handling of food. Ingesting naturally poisonous food can also cause food poisoning.

Question 11

Bacterial contaminants

Answer 11

Campylobacter
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Listeria
Salmonella

Question 12

Toxin contaminants

Answer 12

Bacillus cereus
Clostridium botulinum
Clostridium perfringens
Staphylococcus aureus

Question 13

Viral contaminants

Answer 13

Hepatitis A
Rotavirus

Question 14

Campylobacter cause and symptoms

Answer 14

Found in soil, water and the intestines of poultry. Foods include poultry and unpasteurised dairy products. Symptoms Include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cramping and fever.

Question 15

Escherichia coli (E. coli) cause and symptoms

Answer 15

Found in the intestines of humans and animals. Foods include undercooked meat, unwashed vegetables and unpasteurised dairy products. Symptoms include severe diarrhoea with blood, severe abdominal pain and vomiting.

Question 16

Listeria cause and symptoms

Answer 16

Found in soil, vegetables, sewage, water and animals. Foods include unpasteurised dairy products, unwashed raw vegetables, smoked fish and raw meat. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Question 17

Salmonella cause and symptoms

Answer 17

Found in insects and rodents and in the intestines of animals. Foods include raw meat/poultry, oysters growing in contaminated water, non-acidic food, offal and products containing eggs and gravy. Symptoms Include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps and fever.

Question 18

Bacillus cereus cause and symptoms

Answer 18

Found in soil, vegetables and unpasteurised milk. Foods include cooked rice, pasta, pudding and dry products. Symptoms Include diarrhoea, cramps and nausea.

Question 19

Clostridium botulinum cause and symptoms

Answer 19

Found in soil, water, vegetables and animals. Foods include poorly processed or contaminated canned food, damaged cans, non-acidic canned food, smoked/salted fish and small goods. Symptoms include dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing or talking, double vision, weakness and breathing difficulties.

Question 20

Clostridium perfringens cause and symptoms

Answer 20

Found in raw meat/poultry, manure, soil and intestines of animals, birds and humans. Foods include larger cuts of meat, stews, curries, meat sauce and non-acidic foods. Symptoms Include diarrhoea, cramps and fever.

Question 21

Staphylococcus aureus cause and symptoms

Answer 21

Found in animals, dust and humans. Foods include meat, small goods, dairy products, custard, creamy pastries and salads. Symptoms Include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe abdominal cramps, loss of appetite and mild fever.

Question 22

Hepatitis A cause and symptoms

Answer 22

Found in infected food handlers, sewage contaminated water and food that has been sourced from sewage contaminated water such as oysters. Foods include raw or food that has not been cooked sufficiently. Symptoms include diarrhoea, dark urine, jaundice, fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite.

Question 23

Rotavirus cause and symptoms

Answer 23

Found in vomit or faeces of an infected person. Foods include salads, raw fruits and vegetables and other foods that haven’t been cooked. Symptoms Include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea and fever
and the associated food-borne illness(es), its symptoms and examples of high-risk foods