Food Safety: Causes and Types of Food-Borne Illnesses

Questions and Answers

What occurs when food-borne pathogens multiply in the human intestinal tract and enter the bloodstream, causing illness in other tissues?

Food-borne infections

What type of food-borne illness occurs when toxins produced by pathogens irritate the intestinal tract?

Food intoxication (or food poisoning)

Approximately how many people in the United States contract food-borne illnesses each year?

48 million

What is the primary goal of U.S. public health officials in regards to food-borne illnesses?

Preventing food-borne diseases through food safety efforts Signup and view all the answers

How many kinds of food-borne illnesses are there?

More than 250 Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate outcome for approximately 3000 people who contract food-borne illnesses in the United States each year?

Death Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of food-borne disease outbreaks in the United States?

Norovirus Signup and view all the answers

How do people infected with norovirus spread the infection to others?

Through contaminated hands, food, ice cubes, and surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mode of transmission of norovirus on cruise ships?

Close contact and proximity Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe disease-causing agents found in food?

Pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a food-borne infection and a food-borne intoxication?

Infection involves ingestion of pathogens, while intoxication involves ingestion of toxins produced by pathogens Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to disinfect surfaces and objects touched by people infected with norovirus?

To prevent the spread of the infection Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way to control the spread of norovirus on cruise ships?

Isolating sick passengers and disinfecting surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of consuming food contaminated with pathogens?

Food-borne illness Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Food Safety

Norovirus is the most common cause of food-borne disease outbreaks in the United States.
Food can become contaminated with pathogens or their toxins during production, processing, and preparation.

Food-Borne Illnesses

Food-borne illnesses occur when people consume foods or beverages that contain certain microbes, natural or human-made toxins, or other contaminants.
Pathogens, such as norovirus, are disease-causing agents that can make food unsafe to eat.
There are over 250 kinds of food-borne illnesses.

Food-Borne Infections vs. Food-Borne Intoxications

Food-borne infections occur when pathogens infect the digestive tract, inflaming tissues and causing symptoms within a few hours of ingestion.
Examples of food-borne infections include norovirus and other pathogens that multiply in the human intestinal tract.
Food-borne intoxications occur when pathogens contaminate food and secrete poisons, which irritate the intestinal tract and cause symptoms when ingested.

Impact of Food-Borne Illnesses

An estimated 48 million Americans become sick from food-borne illnesses each year.
Of those, 128,000 require hospitalization and 3000 die.
Promoting food safety efforts is a major goal of U.S. public health officials to prevent these diseases.