Final answer:
The hazard associated with meat being next to vegetables is a biological hazard due to the risk of foodborne pathogens present in meat contaminating the vegetables.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hazard associated with placing meat next to vegetables is primarily a biological hazard. This cross-contamination can occur if juices from raw meat, which may contain foodborne pathogens, such as Norovirus, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Camylobacter, come into contact with the vegetables that are often consumed raw. Unlike chemical contaminants, these pathogens can be introduced to food regardless of environmental factors and agricultural practices, and they can cause illness if the food is consumed without adequate cooking to eliminate the germs.