Which is an example of physical contamination?

Which is an example of physical contamination?

• A. Acidic action of foods with metal-lined containers
• B. Metal curls from a worn-out can opener that fell into the food
• C. Development of an off-flavor due to uncontrolled enzyme reaction
• D. Anisakis contamination from fish

Answer: (B)

Physical contamination happens when a foreign object ends up in food. It’s about something that doesn’t belong in the food itself and can be seen, felt, or tasted as an extraneous material. In this example, metal curls from a worn-out can opener fell into the food. That metal fragment is a foreign object and qualifies as a physical contaminant because it wasn’t part of the food and could cause injury if consumed. Why the other scenarios aren’t physical contamination: the acidic interaction between foods and metal-lined containers is a chemical issue—the food absorbs metal ions or experiences a chemical reaction—rather than an added object. Off-flavors caused by uncontrolled enzyme reactions are quality changes driven by biochemical processes, not foreign matter. Anisakis contamination involves a parasite; that’s a biological contamination involving living organisms. So, the metal fragment example illustrates physical contamination, where an external object is introduced into the food.

Physical contamination happens when a foreign object ends up in food. It’s about something that doesn’t belong in the food itself and can be seen, felt, or tasted as an extraneous material. In this example, metal curls from a worn-out can opener fell into the food. That metal fragment is a foreign object and qualifies as a physical contaminant because it wasn’t part of the food and could cause injury if consumed.

Why the other scenarios aren’t physical contamination: the acidic interaction between foods and metal-lined containers is a chemical issue—the food absorbs metal ions or experiences a chemical reaction—rather than an added object. Off-flavors caused by uncontrolled enzyme reactions are quality changes driven by biochemical processes, not foreign matter. Anisakis contamination involves a parasite; that’s a biological contamination involving living organisms.

So, the metal fragment example illustrates physical contamination, where an external object is introduced into the food.