food contaminants pt1

contamination happens when:

• harmful substances such as dirt, microorganism or harmful chemicals accidentally or deliberately comes in contact with food

• These can cause sickness or injury

• Simple mistakes or negligence

Three Major Food Contaminants/Food Hazard

• Biological

• Chemical

• Physical

Biological Hazards

• Include bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.

• These organisms are very small and can only be seen with the aid of a microscope.

• Many of these organisms occur naturally in the environment where the foods grow.

• Most are destroyed by adequate cooking, and numbers are kept to a minimum by proper cooling during distribution or storage.

Biological Contaminants are caused by these 3 factors:

• Time and temperature abuse

• Cross contamination

• Poor personal hygiene and improper handwashing

Cross Contamination

• One of the most common causes of food poisoning and bacterial infection.

• This happens when disease causing microorganisms are spread or passed on from another food, hand surtaces, utensils or equipment to another food.

Bacteria Spread on Through

• Hand to Food

• Food to Food

• Equipment to Food

Food to Food Contamination

• Raw meat, fish, poultry and vegetables are breeding grounds for millions of bacteria.

• Bacteria moves through flies, and drippings.

• When the bacteria transferred from these raw foods to ready to eat food such as green salad, pasta salad and cooked meat and even fruit, cross contamination happens.

Effects of Chemical Contamination

• Taste may be affected

• May cause vomiting

• May damage internal organs such as esophagus, stomach or intestines

• May cause cancer

• May cause death

Potentially Hazardous Food (PHF)

• Foods that need Time and Temperature Control for Safety (TCS).

• Usually high in protein and carbohydrates such as eggs, poultry and dairy products

Foods that are not PHF:

• Unopened canned goods

• Pickles

• Salted dried meats

• Honey and jam

• Fruit cakes

• Biscuits and crackers

• Hard Cheeses

Chemical Contamination

• Means food that has come into contact with chemical that can cause food poisoning.

Common Causes of Chemical Contamination:

• cleaning agents

• unwashed fruits

• vegetables

• food containers made from non-safe plastic

• pest control items such as fly spray or rat poison