Which best defines biological contamination?

• A. Living organisms that contaminate food
• B. Temperature abuse
• C. Physical contamination
• D. Chemical residues

Answer: (A)

Biological contamination means the presence of living organisms in food, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi, and sometimes the toxins they produce. This definition focuses on the actual biological agents involved, which is what makes food unsafe. Temperature abuse is a condition that can promote biological growth, but it’s not the definition of contamination itself. Physical contamination refers to foreign objects like glass or metal in food, not organisms, and chemical residues are chemical hazards, not biological ones. So, the best definition is the presence of living organisms in food.