Food types, reservoirs, vehicles of infection and ways of spread

Introduction 94 Animals and humans 95 Food types 100

Summary 112 Sources of information and further reading 112

Understanding of the distribution and ecology of foodborne pathogens and foodborne toxins, and of the ways in which they are transmitted, is vital for the preparation of food that is safe to eat. This knowledge should be used to prevent contamination of food by both pathogens and microbial toxins inhibit the growth of pathogens, and thereby prevent incidents of food poisoning.