Foodborne Illness and Pathogens Flashcards

What is a foodborne illness outbreak defined as in Texas?

Answer: Two or more people getting sick from eating the same food

A foodborne illness outbreak is when two or more people experience the same illness after consuming a common food or beverage.

Which food is considered a common source of Campylobacter, one of the most frequent causes of diarrheal illness in the U.S.?

Answer: Undercooked poultry and unpasteurized milk

Campylobacter is most commonly found in raw and undercooked poultry and unpasteurized dairy products.

What is the difference between food infection and food intoxication?

Answer: Infection is caused by living pathogens in food; intoxication is caused by toxins already in the food

A food infection occurs when live pathogens are ingested and grow in the body, while intoxication occurs when preformed toxins in food are consumed.

Why is cross-contamination between raw meat and ready-to-eat foods especially dangerous?

Answer: Ready-to-eat foods won't be cooked again, so pathogens transferred to them cannot be killed

Since ready-to-eat foods are served without further cooking, any pathogens transferred to them from raw meat will be consumed directly.

A food handler reports having jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes). What should happen?

Answer: The food handler must be excluded from work and the manager must report it to the health department

Jaundice is a symptom of Hepatitis A, which is one of the Big Six pathogens requiring exclusion from the workplace and regulatory notification.

What is the purpose of a consumer advisory on a menu in Texas?

Answer: To warn customers that certain foods are served raw or undercooked and may increase their risk of foodborne illness

Texas requires a consumer advisory when serving undercooked animal products to inform guests of the associated health risk.