Which form of food contamination involves bacteria or viruses?

The form of food contamination that involves bacteria or viruses is known as biological contamination. This type of contamination occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, are present in food. These organisms can multiply and cause foodborne illnesses when consumed.

Biological contamination is a significant concern in food safety because it can happen during any stage of food production, processing, and preparation. Proper hygiene practices, cooking temperatures, and food storage methods are essential to prevent biological contamination from happening.

Chemical contamination, on the other hand, refers to harmful substances such as pesticides, cleaning agents, or additives that can contaminate food. Physical contamination involves foreign objects like hair, glass shards, or metal fragments that can unintentionally enter food products. While all forms of contamination are critical to understand in food safety, biological contamination specifically pertains to the threat posed by bacteria and viruses.