Question 1

Mad cow disease was first diagnosed in cattle in the United States in 1986.

Accepted Answer

Mad cow disease was first diagnosed in the United Kingdom in 1986. It was not diagnosed in the United States until 2003.

Question 2

Foodborne illness caused by bacteria is typically due to improper handling that has allowed the microorganisms to flourish.

Accepted Answer

Bacteria can grow and multiply quickly in the right conditions, such as food that is left at room temperature for too long, not cooked or reheated properly, or contaminated with other sources of bacteria. Proper handling and storage of food, as well as cooking to the appropriate temperature, can help prevent foodborne illness caused by bacteria.

Question 3

Lead usually poisons a person quickly leading to sudden death after initial ingestion or exposure.

Accepted Answer

Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of time with prolonged exposure, and symptoms may not appear until later stages. It is rare for someone to die suddenly from lead poisoning after initial exposure.

Question 4

Integrated pest management involves increased application of pesticides to maximize crop yields.

Accepted Answer

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a holistic approach to managing pests that emphasizes prevention and using multiple methods for control. This may include the use of pesticides, but only as a last resort and in a targeted and limited manner. The goal is to minimize harm to the environment and beneficial organisms, while still maintaining crop yields.

Question 5

Canned foods have an infinite shelf-life.

Accepted Answer

While canned foods do have a long shelf-life, they are not completely immune to spoilage and can eventually go bad. It is recommended to consume canned foods within 2-5 years of their production date to ensure their quality and safety.

Question 6

The radura symbol on a food signifies that the food has been irradiated.

Accepted Answer

The radura symbol is used to indicate that the food has been treated with ionizing radiation to improve safety or quality.

Question 7

Effects of undernutrition contribute to just under 10 percent of deaths worldwide for children under 5 years of age.

Accepted Answer

Undernutrition is a major factor and contributes to nearly half of all deaths in children under 5 years of age worldwide, not just under 10 percent.

Question 8

Food insecurity was once viewed as a problem of poverty, but it now more frequently viewed as a problem of overpopulation and inadequate food production.

Accepted Answer

Food insecurity is still primarily considered a problem of poverty, as many people who are food insecure live in poverty or have limited resources to access food. While issues like overpopulation and inadequate food production can contribute to food insecurity, poverty and inequality remain the root causes.

Question 9

The FDA requires that foods developed using genetic engineering specify this on the food label.

Accepted Answer

The FDA does not require foods developed using genetic engineering to be labeled as such, but the USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard requires disclosure of bioengineered foods.

Question 10

Food additives can be used to improve the texture and appearance of a product.

Accepted Answer

Food additives such as emulsifiers, thickeners, and stabilizers can be used to enhance the texture and appearance of a product.

Question 11

All substances are potentially toxic, but are hazardous only if consumed in sufficiently large quantities.

Accepted Answer

This is true. All substances, even water and oxygen, can be toxic if consumed in large quantities. The level of toxicity depends on the dose, the route of exposure, and the individual's susceptibility.

Question 12

Foodborne illnesses are thought to be underreported due to many people attributing the symptoms to the flu rather than food consumption.

Accepted Answer

Many symptoms of foodborne illness, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are also common with the flu. Therefore, people may not realize that their illness was caused by consuming contaminated food and may not report it as a foodborne illness.

Question 13

A major outbreak of foodborne illness due to E. coli that led to 500 reported cases of the illness and three deaths in the 1980s was linked to undercooked, contaminated hamburgers.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The major outbreak of foodborne illness due to E. coli in the 1980s was linked to undercooked, contaminated hamburgers, resulting in 500 reported cases of illness and three deaths. This incident led to significant changes in food safety regulations and industry practices.

Question 14

DDT is banned from use not just in the United States but internationally as well.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. DDT was banned in the United States in 1972, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) called for a global ban on DDT in 2001, with some exceptions for certain disease control programs.

Question 15

The GRAS list is established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Accepted Answer

The GRAS list (Generally Recognized as Safe) is established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), not the Environmental Protection Agency.

Question 16

Small, local farms that are efficient in production are recommended in developing countries rather than incorporating industrial technology.

Accepted Answer

Small, local farms that are efficient in production are often more sustainable and beneficial to the local economy than incorporating large-scale industrial technology, which can have negative environmental and social impacts.

Question 17

Integrated pest management is a type of farming technique designed to decrease use of chemicals by using strategies such as crop rotation and genetic engineering.

Accepted Answer

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. This involves choosing the most effective and least risky combination of pest control methods, including crop rotation and genetic engineering, to suppress pest populations below the threshold at which they cause economic damage. The focus is on preventing pest problems rather than reacting to them after they occur, and reducing dependence on pesticides by using them only when other methods are not sufficient.

Question 18

SNAP is a federally funded initiative currently in place to reduce food insecurity in the United States.

Accepted Answer

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and is a federally funded initiative that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families in the United States to reduce food insecurity.

Question 19

Honey can be a cause of botulism.

Accepted Answer

Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that can produce a deadly toxin in certain conditions. These spores can survive in honey and cause botulism in infants, as their digestive system is not mature enough to fight off the bacteria. Honey should not be given to children under one year old.

Question 20

Eating undercooked or raw egg puts a person at risk for contracting hepatitis.

Accepted Answer

Eating undercooked or raw eggs primarily puts a person at risk for Salmonella infection, not hepatitis.

Quiz 13: Food Safety and the Global Food Supplyspotlight: Global Food Insecurity