Final answer:
The FDA does not rank food hazards in terms of danger, but environmental contaminants like pesticides and germs such as Norovirus and Salmonella are critical concerns given their impact on health and prevalence in foodborne illness. Incidental contamination and toxins are significant health risks. the correct option is (c)
Step-by-step explanation:
The most dangerous food hazard, according to the FDA, is not explicitly ranked as 'most dangerous' among the options provided. However, considering the impact on consumer health and the prevalence of illnesses caused by food in the United States, environmental contaminants and the germs Norovirus, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Campylobacter are significant concerns. These germs are known for causing foodborne diseases that stem from food contamination due to improper handling, preparation, or storage of food. Environmental contaminants, such as pesticides like DDT, can lead to long-term consumer illness and might prove harmful after many years of exposure.
The incidental contamination of food with chemical products has been a serious issue over recent decades. Industrial contaminants like PCBs and pesticides residues, like DDT and its breakdown product DDE, have caused widespread concern, leading to more stringent government regulations to control the use of potentially toxic substances. Foods can also be adulterated by foreign bodies or contaminated with toxins, either environmental or those produced by microorganisms or occurring naturally in certain plants and fungi, all of which can pose significant health risks to consumers.