Final answer:
The correct answer is B) Transmit diseases and contaminate food, as pests are a food safety hazard that can introduce pathogens or contaminants into food products, posing health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pests are a food safety hazard because they transmit diseases and contaminate food. This means the correct answer is B) Transmit diseases and contaminate food. Pests such as insects, rodents, and birds can carry pathogens that lead to foodborne illnesses. They can also leave behind droppings or other contaminants that may adulterate the food with foreign bodies, such as hair or fecal matter, thereby posing a significant health risk.
While some ingredients and preservatives are added to foods to maintain or improve safety and freshness, pests do the opposite by introducing risks of contamination. For example, antioxidant preservatives help maintain freshness and prevent rancidity or off-flavors in fats and oils and keep cut fruits from browning when exposed to air. Pests, however, can significantly compromise the integrity and safety of food by facilitating the spread of bacteria, mold, and viruses.