What are pathogenic bacteria?

• A. Bacteria that cause disease, not detectable by smell, sight or taste
• B. Bacteria that cause spoilage
• C. Bacteria that photosynthesize
• D. Bacteria that ferment

Answer: (A)

Pathogenic bacteria are bacteria that cause disease in people. They can contaminate food and cause illness even when the food looks, smells, and tastes normal, so you can’t rely on senses to judge safety. Proper cooking to the correct internal temperature, preventing cross-contamination, and good personal hygiene are key steps to prevent illness from these organisms. The other descriptions describe bacteria that cause spoilage (leading to off-odors, off-flavors, or texture changes), photosynthetic bacteria (which obtain energy from light), or fermentative bacteria (which produce acids or alcohol in foods). None of those traits alone defines disease-causing bacteria in the context of food safety, which is why the disease-causing, sense-undetectable nature is the best fit.