Final answer:
It is false that viruses like hepatitis A can infect any type of food; they are usually associated with certain types of food. Regardless of the type of food, good hygiene practices in food handling are essential for preventing foodborne diseases. Vaccination plays a key role in preventing hepatitis A.
Step-by-step explanation:
False, viruses such as hepatitis A can not infect any food; they are typically associated with potentially hazardous foods. Hepatitis A has an incubation period of 15 to 50 days and is usually self-limiting. However, all types of food can potentially be contaminated by various harmful microorganisms.
Foods as diverse as peanut butter, alfalfa sprouts, and eggs have been associated with outbreaks of Salmonella. Common foodborne viruses include norovirus and hepatitis A virus. Furthermore, good hygiene practices in food handling can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne diseases, irrespective of whether foods are deemed potentially hazardous or not.
Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for certain groups, and it's important to note that while some viruses can cause long-term issues such as cancer, hepatitis A typically does not have chronic manifestations.