Final answer:
Foodborne illnesses related to biofilms have increased over time due to the increased resistance of bacteria within these structures to antibiotics and detergents, despite advances in food safety practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Foodborne illnesses related to biofilms have changed over time. The correct answer to the question of whether these illnesses have changed due to biofilms would be an option (b), which states that infections have increased due to increased bacterial resistance. However, it is important to note that advancements in food processing and sterilization techniques have played a significant role in the fluctuation of these illnesses. While better sterilization and canning procedures have reduced the incidence of some diseases like botulism, most cases of foodborne illness are now associated with small-scale food production. Additionally, biofilms can protect bacteria against conventional cleaning methods and antibiotics, making them harder to eradicate. Large-scale food production has also been related to outbreaks of bacterial contamination where biofilms played a significant role.