Michigan Food Safety Management Practice Test

What can cause Clostridium Perfringens infection?

1. Rice dishes

2. Animal excreta

3. Shellfish

4. Unpasteurized milk

The correct answer is: Animal excreta

Clostridium perfringens is primarily associated with foodborne illness that often results from consuming improperly cooked or poorly stored foods, particularly those that are high in protein. While the other options can be linked to various foodborne pathogens, the correct choice centers around the role of animal excreta in the transmission of C. perfringens. Animal excreta can serve as a source of contamination for food products, particularly meats, if proper hygiene practices are not followed. This bacterium is commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. When food—especially meat or poultry—is contaminated with fecal matter during processing or handling, the spores of Clostridium perfringens can be introduced. If these foods are cooked improperly or kept at unsafe temperatures, the spores can germinate and produce toxins that cause illness upon consumption. This understanding is crucial for food safety management, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness, proper cooking, and safe food handling practices to prevent contamination from animal excreta, thus reducing the risk of Clostridium perfringens infections. The other options listed, while they relate to other types of foodborne illnesses, do not directly correlate with the primary risk factors associated with C. perfringens.