Which of the following is a chemical hazard?

• A. Water
• B. Sugar
• C. Peanuts
• D. Pesticides

Answer: (D)

Chemical hazards are substances with chemical properties that can harm you if they contaminate food. Pesticides fit this category because they are chemicals used to kill pests, and if residues remain on crops or in food, they can pose health risks to people who eat it. Regulations set maximum residue limits and require proper use and waiting times to minimize exposure, which is why pesticides are treated as chemical hazards in food safety.

Water and sugar aren’t chemical hazards in typical terms—they’re ingredients that are safe under normal conditions. Peanuts are a concern for many people due to allergic reactions, which is a biological hazard rather than a chemical one. The key idea is that pesticides are the chemical hazard among the options.