Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are microorganisms?
What are microorganisms?
Small, living organisms that can be seen only through a microscope.
What are pathogens?
What are pathogens?
Microorganisms that can cause illness.
What are toxins?
What are toxins?
Pathogens that make you sick.
What are the four types of pathogens that can contaminate food?
What are the four types of pathogens that can contaminate food?
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What is an example of contamination caused by food handlers?
What is an example of contamination caused by food handlers?
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How can pathogens be easily passed?
How can pathogens be easily passed?
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What can simple mistakes lead to?
What can simple mistakes lead to?
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Common symptoms of a food-borne illness are _____
Common symptoms of a food-borne illness are _____
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What is known as the onset time of a food-borne illness?
What is known as the onset time of a food-borne illness?
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What are The Big Six pathogens?
What are The Big Six pathogens?
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What are bacteria?
What are bacteria?
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Match the following conditions with their roles in bacterial growth:
Match the following conditions with their roles in bacterial growth:
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What is the range of the Temperature Danger Zone?
What is the range of the Temperature Danger Zone?
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What types of food support better growth of bacteria?
What types of food support better growth of bacteria?
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What is the term for the amount of moisture available in food for bacterial growth?
What is the term for the amount of moisture available in food for bacterial growth?
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How can time be controlled to ensure food safety?
How can time be controlled to ensure food safety?
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What is the first phase of bacterial growth?
What is the first phase of bacterial growth?
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What occurs during the log phase of bacterial growth?
What occurs during the log phase of bacterial growth?
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What happens during the death phase?
What happens during the death phase?
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What is a spore in bacteria?
What is a spore in bacteria?
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What is the effect of nutrients on bacterial growth?
What is the effect of nutrients on bacterial growth?
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What is Bacillus cereus and what illness does it cause?
What is Bacillus cereus and what illness does it cause?
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What is Listeria monocytogenes and its associated illness?
What is Listeria monocytogenes and its associated illness?
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What is a common source of Enterohemorrhagic and shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli?
What is a common source of Enterohemorrhagic and shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli?
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What is Campylobacter jejuni associated with?
What is Campylobacter jejuni associated with?
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What is Clostridium perfringens and its associated illness?
What is Clostridium perfringens and its associated illness?
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What does Clostridium botulinum cause?
What does Clostridium botulinum cause?
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What is Salmonella spp. associated with?
What is Salmonella spp. associated with?
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Study Notes
Microorganisms and Pathogens
- Microorganisms are tiny living organisms visible only under a microscope.
- Pathogens are specific microorganisms that can cause illness in humans.
Toxins and Foodborne Illness
- Toxins are harmful substances produced by pathogens that lead to sickness.
- Understanding pathogens and their toxins is crucial in preventing foodborne illnesses.
Types of Pathogens
- The four main types of pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
- Pathogens can contaminate food through improper handling practices.
Contamination Routes
- Contamination can occur through inadequate hand hygiene, such as not washing hands after using the restroom, leading to the fecal-oral route of transmission.
- Methods of transmission include person-to-person contact, sneezing or vomiting, and touching contaminated surfaces.
Preventing Contamination
- Simple mistakes, like allowing ready-to-eat foods to contact raw food surfaces, can lead to cross-contamination.
- Common symptoms of foodborne illness include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, and jaundice.
Onset Time and Key Pathogens
- The onset time of foodborne illness refers to how quickly symptoms appear after consuming contaminated food.
- The "Big Six" pathogens include Shigella spp., Salmonella Typhi, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Hepatitis A, Norovirus, and Non-Typhoidal Salmonella.
Bacteria Characteristics
- Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can spoil food and cause illnesses, existing almost everywhere.
- Detection of bacteria is challenging as they cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.
Conditions for Bacterial Growth (FAT TOM)
- Bacteria require six conditions to grow: Food, Acidity, Temperature, Time, Oxygen, and Moisture.
Temperature Danger Zone
- The Temperature Danger Zone ranges from 41°F to 135°F (5°C - 57°C), where bacteria thrive.
TCS Foods and Acidity
- TCS foods (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) include meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs; they are more prone to bacterial growth.
- Bacteria thrive in foods with a neutral to slightly acidic pH (4.6 - 7.5).
Bacterial Growth Stages
- Bacteria growth progresses through four phases: Lag, Log, Stationary, and Death.
- Bacteria reproduce rapidly during the Log phase, doubling in as little as 20 minutes under ideal conditions.
Spoilage and Spore Formation
- Certain bacteria can form spores to survive adverse conditions, contaminating food exposed to dirt.
- Proper storage and cooking temperatures are essential to prevent spore growth.
Major Bacterial Illnesses
- Bacillus cereus can cause gastroenteritis through toxins from contaminated cooked vegetables and meat products.
- Listeria monocytogenes thrives in cool environments and poses risks to pregnant women through contaminated dairy and deli meats.
- E. coli (shiga toxin-producing) can lead to severe symptoms like kidney failure, commonly found in contaminated ground beef.
- Campylobacter jejuni is linked to undercooked poultry and contaminated water, leading to symptoms like fever and headaches.
- Clostridium perfringens is associated with meat and poultry, often causing abdominal pain without nausea.
- Clostridium botulinum can produce a lethal toxin in improperly stored foods, with symptoms including double vision and difficulty swallowing.
- Salmonella spp. is commonly found in poultry and eggs, leading to prolonged fecal shedding post-illness.
Prevention Strategies
- Key prevention methods include controlling time and temperature of TCS foods and ensuring proper hygiene practices.
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Description
This set of flashcards covers essential terms related to microorganisms, pathogens, and toxins from Chapter 2 of Food Self Serve. Understanding these concepts is crucial for preventing food-borne illnesses. Test your knowledge and enhance your food safety awareness.