Microbial organisms that have the potential to cause foodborne illnesses are called ______.

• A. Foreign materials
• B. Spoilage organisms
• C. Pathogens
• D. Parasites

Answer: (C)

Pathogens are microorganisms capable of causing disease. In food safety, they include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and some parasites that can make people sick if ingested, especially at sufficient dose or in vulnerable individuals. The illness results from infection or toxin production by the microbe. Foreign materials are non-microbial contaminants, and spoilage organisms cause changes in taste, odor, or texture without necessarily causing illness. Parasites can cause disease, but the broad term used for illness-causing microbes in foods is pathogens.