UNIT 3

CONTAMINATION,
FOOD ALLERGENS,
&
FOODBORNE ILLNESS

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS 3
Foodborne Contaminants
Biological
 Fish toxins
 Shellfish toxins
 Plant and mushroom toxins

Chemical
 Toxic metal poisoning
 Chemicals and pesticides

Physical
 Metal shavings from cans, staples
 Fingernails, hair, bandages

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS 3
Biological Toxins
These Toxins
 May be produced by pathogens found
on food
 May occur naturally in plants or animals
 May occur as a result of an animal’s diet

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-4 3
Major Foodborne Illnesses
from Fish Toxins
Fish Toxin Illnesses
 Scombroid poisoning
 Ciguatera fish poisoning

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-5 3
Major Foodborne Illnesses
from Fish Toxins
Illness: Scombroid poisoning
Toxin: Histamine

Associated Food Common Symptoms Prevention

 Tuna  Reddening of face  Purchase fish
and neck from approved,
 Bonito reputable
 Sweating suppliers
 Mackerel
 Headache  Prevent time-
 Mahi mahi
 Burning or tingling in temperature
mouth or throat abuse during
storage and
preparation

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-6 3
Major Foodborne Illnesses
from Fish Toxins
Illness: Ciguatera fish poisoning
Toxin: Ciguatoxin

Associated Food Common Symptoms Prevention

 Predatory reef  Reversal of hot and  Purchase reef
fish: cold sensations fish from
 Nausea approved,
 Barracuda reputable
 Vomiting suppliers
 Grouper
 Tingling in fingers, lips,
 Jacks or toes
 Snapper  Joint and muscle pain

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-7 3
Major Foodborne Illnesses
from Shellfish Toxins
Shellfish Toxin Illnesses
 Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
 Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP)
 Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP)

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-8 3
Major Foodborne Illnesses
from Shellfish Toxins
Illness: Paralytic Shellfish
Poisoning (PSP)
Toxin: Saxitoxin

Associated Food Common Symptoms Prevention

 Clams  Numbness  Purchase

 Tingling of mouth, shellfish from
 Mussels approved,
face, arms and legs
 Oysters reputable
 Dizziness suppliers
 Scallops  Nausea
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-9 3
Major Foodborne Illnesses
from Shellfish Toxins
Illness: Neurotoxic Shellfish
Poisoning (NSP)
Toxin: Brevetoxin

Associated Food Common Symptoms Prevention

 Clams  Tingling and numbness  Purchase

of the lips, tongue, and shellfish from
 Mussels throat approved,
 Oysters  Dizziness reputable
suppliers
 Reversal of hot and cold
sensations
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-10 3
Major Foodborne Illnesses
from Shellfish Toxins
Illness: Amnesic Shellfish
Poisoning (ASP)
Toxin: Domoic acid

Associated Food Common Symptoms Prevention

 Clams Initially:  Purchase

 Vomiting shellfish from
 Mussels  Diarrhea approved,
 Abdominal pain reputable
 Oysters
Later: (Possibly) suppliers
 Scallops  Confusion
 Memory loss
 Disorientation
 Seizure
 Coma

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-11 3
Mushroom Toxins
These Toxins
 Are present in certain varieties of wild
mushrooms
 Can cause severe illness
 Are not destroyed by cooking or freezing

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-13 3
Chemical Toxins
Toxic Metals
Toxic metal poisoning can occur when:
 Utensils or equipment containing
toxic metals are used to prepare
food (especially acidic food)
 Carbonated beverage dispensers
are installed improperly
To prevent this:
 Use food-grade utensils and equipment to
prepare and store food
 Have a professional install beverage
dispensers
UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-14 3
Chemical Toxins
Chemicals
 Store away from food, utensils,
and equipment
 Follow manufacturers’ directions
for using them
 Label them properly if they are
transferred to new containers

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-15 3
Physical Contaminants
Foreign objects accidentally
introduced into food:
 Metal shavings from cans
 Staples from cartons
 Glass from broken light bulbs
 Blades from plastic or rubber scrapers
 Fingernails, hair, and bandages
 Dirt
 Bones

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-16 3
Food Allergens
Common Food Allergens
 Milk and dairy products
 Eggs and egg products
 Fish
 Shellfish
 Wheat
 Soy and soy products
 Peanuts
 Tree nuts

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-17 3
Food Allergens
Symptoms of an allergic reaction
include:
 Itching in and around the mouth, face, or
scalp
 Tightening in the throat
 Wheezing or shortness of breath
 Hives
 Swelling of the face, eyes, hands, or feet
 Gastrointestinal symptoms
 Loss of consciousness and death
UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-18 3
Food Allergens
To protect guests with food allergies:
 Be able to fully describe menu items
 If you are unsure if an item is allergen free,
urge the guest to order something else
 Ensure that cookware and utensils used to
prepare the guests’ food are allergen free

UNIT
CONTAMINATION, FOOD ALLERGENS & FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
3-19 3