Sanitation Certification Practice Test

What type of foodborne illness occurs when harmful bacteria grow inside the body?

1. Foodborne intoxication

2. Foodborne infection

3. Foodborne allergy

4. Foodborne contamination

The correct answer is: Foodborne infection

Foodborne infection is a type of illness that occurs when harmful bacteria enter the body through the consumption of contaminated food or beverages. Once ingested, these bacteria multiply and grow within the intestines, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. The key distinction that makes foodborne infection the correct answer is the role of live bacteria that reproduce inside the body. This contrasts with foodborne intoxication, where the illness results from toxins produced by bacteria prior to ingestion. In foodborne allergy, the reaction is due to the immune system's response to certain proteins in foods, not bacterial growth. Foodborne contamination refers to the presence of pathogens in food, but does not specify the result of consuming the contaminated food, such as an infection. Understanding foodborne infection is crucial for food safety and sanitation practices, emphasizing the importance of proper food handling and cooking techniques to prevent bacteria from contaminating food and subsequently multiplying in our bodies.