What term describes items that carry hazards onto or into food?

• A. Items that carry hazards onto or into food
• B. Biological contaminants
• C. Methods to preserve food safely
• D. Temperature danger zone

Answer: (A)

Fomites describe items that carry hazards onto or into food. These are inanimate objects or surfaces that can harbor pathogens or contaminants and transfer them to food or food-contact surfaces when they are not properly cleaned, sanitized, or handled. This is why cleaning and sanitizing equipment, utensils, towels, gloves, and clothing is so important, along with good hand hygiene and avoiding cross-contamination.

Biological contaminants are the hazards themselves, not the carriers. Methods to preserve food safely are practices to prevent spoilage and contamination, not the vehicles that transfer hazards. The temperature danger zone refers to a range where microbial growth is more likely, not to objects that transport hazards.