Foodborne illness

• A. Disease transmitted to people by or through food
• B. Illness caused by spoiled air
• C. Illness from contaminated water only
• D. Illness from improper cooking

Answer: (A)

Foodborne illness means a disease people get from eating food that is unsafe or contaminated. The key idea is that the illness is transmitted to people by the food itself, whether due to pathogens, toxins, or cross-contamination during handling. That makes the description of a disease transmitted to people by or through food the best fit. Illness from spoiled air isn’t relevant here because air isn’t the vehicle for foodborne illness. Illness from contaminated water only is too narrow, since food can harbor illness even when water isn’t the sole factor. Illness from improper cooking is only one possible cause and doesn’t define foodborne illness, since problems can arise from handling, storage, or contamination after cooking as well.