Which of the following is a physical contaminant?

• A. E. coli
• B. Glass shard
• C. Pesticide residue
• D. Listeria monocytogenes

Answer: (B)

Physical contaminants are foreign objects that are not part of the food and can be seen or felt. A glass shard is a physical contaminant because it’s a tangible object that could injure someone if ingested or chewed. The other items fall into different categories: E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes are microorganisms that can cause illness, and pesticide residue is a chemical contaminant. Preventing physical contamination relies on good handling, clean equipment, and thorough product checks to catch foreign objects before products reach consumers.