Final answer:
Laboratory analysis can indicate the presence of pathogens or toxins in a specific food, helping identify the source of an illness. Techniques like pre-enrichment culture, selective and differential media, and serological techniques are used for lab analysis. A case-control study is conducted to determine the contaminated food item.
Step-by-step explanation:
Laboratory analysis can indicate that a specific food is the source of an illness by identifying the presence of pathogens or toxins in the food sample. For example, if a food sample tests positive for Salmonella bacteria, it suggests that the food is contaminated with Salmonella and can cause illness if consumed.
Lab analysis may involve techniques like pre-enrichment culture, selective and differential media, and serological techniques. These methods help in isolating and identifying the specific bacteria or toxins present in the food.
It's important to conduct a case-control study to determine the food item that might have caused the illness. This study compares the food consumed by individuals who got sick with those who didn't, and the data obtained from the study helps identify the contaminated food item.