What kind of contaminants would include obvious items like rocks and plastic?

Physical contaminants refer to foreign objects that can inadvertently enter food products and pose a risk to consumers. These contaminants include anything that is not intended to be part of the food item, such as stones, metal fragments, wood, glass, and plastic materials. Their presence can cause injury, choking, or other health hazards when ingested.

Bacterial contaminants, on the other hand, are microscopic organisms that can cause foodborne illnesses, and they are not visible to the naked eye. Chemical contaminants involve harmful substances, such as pesticides or cleaning agents, that can leach into food but do not include physical objects. Biological contaminants are typically living organisms, such as viruses or parasites, which also differ from the explicit nature of rocks and plastic.

Understanding the distinction between these various types of contaminants is crucial for identifying potential food safety hazards and ensuring a safe food handling environment.