Okuzeka
Food Science & Technology vocabulary · Food Safety and HACCP

Contamination

Meaning in food science & technology, with examples

/kənˌtæməˈneɪʃən/nounCore term

In food science & technology, contamination means: The presence or entry of something harmful or unwanted in food, such as microorganisms, chemicals, allergens or pieces of glass, metal or plastic.

In Turkish: kontaminasyon, bulaşma, kirlenme

How it is used

A core word in hygiene training, HACCP plans and audit reports. It is classed as microbiological, chemical, physical or allergen contamination. Common verbs are prevent, cause, detect and trace the source of. The adjective 'contaminated' describes the product, surface or water.

Example sentences

  1. The investigation traced the contamination to a leaking cooling-water pipe above the filler.

  2. Hairnets and beard covers reduce the risk of physical contamination.

Common collocations

  • microbiological contamination
  • chemical contamination
  • physical contamination
  • prevent contamination
  • source of contamination
  • cross-contaminationThe transfer of harmful microorganisms, allergens or other contaminants from one food, surface, tool or person to another food.
  • foreign bodyAny physical object in food that should not be there, such as glass, metal, hard plastic, wood, stones, insects or hair.
  • pathogenA microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus or parasite, that can cause disease in people who eat or drink a contaminated product.
  • hygieneThe conditions and practices, such as cleaning, handwashing and protective clothing, that prevent food from being contaminated by people, equipment or the environment.
  • food safetyThe practices and conditions that keep food free from hazards, so that it does not make people ill when it is prepared and eaten as intended.

More terms: Food Safety and HACCP

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: