Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What is defined as a disease transmitted through food?

1. A foodborne illness

2. A foodborne infection

3. A foodborne intoxication

4. A food contamination

The correct answer is: A foodborne illness

The correct answer is a foodborne illness. This term encompasses illnesses that result from consuming contaminated food or beverages. Foodborne illnesses can arise from various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Foodborne infections and foodborne intoxications are specific types of foodborne illnesses. A foodborne infection occurs when a person ingests live bacteria, which then multiply and cause illness, whereas foodborne intoxication results from consuming toxins produced by bacteria in food. Food contamination is a broader term referring to the presence of harmful substances in food that may lead to illness, but it does not specifically define the disease itself. Thus, a foodborne illness is the most accurate and encompassing term for diseases transmitted through contaminated food.