Final answer:
The most likely form of transmission for food poisoning from a restaurant salad bar is Vehicle transmission, where the contaminated food serves as the medium for pathogens to reach the consumer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person develops food poisoning after eating at a restaurant salad bar, the most likely form of transmission is Vehicle (A). This is because food itself is the medium through which pathogens or toxins are delivered to the consumer, leading to foodborne illness. Vehicle transmission refers to the transmission of disease agents through consumables such as food, water, and air. Poor hygiene practices in food handling can lead to the spread of microorganisms, such as viruses (e.g., norovirus) and bacteria, which can contaminate the food. When a person ingests contaminated food, and the amount of microorganism or toxin exceeds the infectious dose, the individual can become ill with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Given that foodborne diseases often arise from contaminated food items due to improper temperature control or unhygienic handling, the food at the salad bar was likely the vehicle for disease transmission.