What does chemical contamination primarily involve?

Chemical contamination primarily involves substances that can contaminate food through harmful chemicals, which includes toxins and cleaners. This type of contamination occurs when food comes into contact with harmful chemicals used in food preparation or cleaning processes, leading to potential health hazards for consumers.

For instance, if a food prep surface is not properly rinsed after using a cleaning agent, any residual cleaner may end up in the food, causing illness. Additionally, certain substances found in pesticides or food additives can also fall under chemical contamination. Understanding this aspect is essential for maintaining food safety and preventing illness associated with improper use or mishandling of chemicals.

Other options such as bacteria and foreign objects relate to physical and biological contamination rather than chemical contamination. Food alternatives also do not pertain to contamination types and are unrelated to the concept of harmful substances directly affecting food safety.