What is a food pest?

• A. An animal or insect which lives on or eats our food
• B. A beneficial bacteria
• C. A type of fungus
• D. A non-living contaminant

Answer: (A)

A food pest is a living animal or insect that lives on or eats our food. They contaminate and spoil food by feeding on it, leaving droppings or secretions, and can spread disease or cause damage to packaging. The emphasis is on living creatures that actively interact with food, not on microbes or non-living substances. Beneficial bacteria aren’t pests because they are microbes that don’t invade and feed on food in the same harmful way. A fungus like mold can spoil food but isn’t considered a pest in this context, since pests refer to animals and insects. A non-living contaminant, such as a chemical or glass, isn’t a pest because it isn’t alive.