Which option represents a physical hazard?

Which option represents a physical hazard?

• A. Metal fragment
• B. Allergen
• C. Bacterial contamination
• D. Chemical residue

Answer: (A)

A physical hazard is a tangible object that can cause injury if present in a product. A metal fragment fits this because it is a solid foreign object that could cut, puncture, or choke a consumer if ingested or encountered during processing or consumption. The other options describe hazards of different types: an allergen can trigger immune reactions, bacterial contamination involves microbes and illness, and chemical residue involves chemical exposure. None of these are foreign objects that physically injure the body, so the metal fragment is the clear example of a physical hazard.

A physical hazard is a tangible object that can cause injury if present in a product. A metal fragment fits this because it is a solid foreign object that could cut, puncture, or choke a consumer if ingested or encountered during processing or consumption. The other options describe hazards of different types: an allergen can trigger immune reactions, bacterial contamination involves microbes and illness, and chemical residue involves chemical exposure. None of these are foreign objects that physically injure the body, so the metal fragment is the clear example of a physical hazard.