Which of the following is a source of chemical food poisoning?

• A. Bacteria in contaminated water
• B. Poisonous chemicals stored in unlabelled food containers
• C. Undercooked chicken
• D. Cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods

Answer: (B)

Chemical contamination happens when harmful substances get into food, not through microbes. When poisonous chemicals are stored in unlabelled food containers, there’s a real risk that someone will use the wrong substance or mistake a container for food. If the chemical seeps into or touches the food, it can cause poisoning. The lack of labeling means you don’t know what the chemical is, how dangerous it is, or how to handle it safely, which makes this scenario a clear example of a chemical source.

The other situations involve biological hazards: bacteria in contaminated water, undercooked chicken, and cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods can all lead to illness from pathogens, not chemicals.