Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

Which pathogen is known to cause foodborne illness but does not grow in food?

1. Bacteria

2. Virus

3. Parasite

4. Fungi

The correct answer is: Virus

Viruses are indeed known for causing foodborne illnesses while not growing in food. Unlike bacteria, which can reproduce rapidly in favorable conditions within food, viruses require a living host cell to replicate. When food is contaminated with a virus, the virus does not multiply in the food itself but can survive long enough to be ingested by humans. Once inside a host, viruses like norovirus or hepatitis A can cause illness through mechanisms such as cell invasion and immune response evasion. Understanding the nature of viruses is crucial for food safety practices. It emphasizes the importance of hygiene, proper food handling, and cooking procedures to prevent contamination, as even small amounts of viral particles can lead to illness. This clarification underlies why viruses must be viewed differently from bacteria, parasites, and fungi in the context of foodborne pathogens.