Final answer:
The fifth common mistake that can lead to foodborne illness is purchasing food from unsafe sources. Good food safety practices like consistent handwashing, proper food preparation, temperature control, and buying from reliable sources are essential to prevent such diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fifth common mistake that can lead to foodborne illness is D. Purchasing food from unsafe sources. Foodborne diseases usually arise from food contamination through improper handling, preparation, or storage of food. Good food safety practices are critical in preventing these diseases, which include not only cooking food adequately and holding it at the correct temperatures but also avoiding the use of contaminated equipment, practicing good personal hygiene, and ensuring that the food is obtained from safe and reliable sources.
Pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria are known causes of foodborne illnesses and can be found in a variety of foods if not handled safely. Consistent handwashing and proper food preparation can significantly reduce the risk of contamination. Keeping perishables at the right temperature and using food before its expiration date are also key steps in preventing foodborne diseases.