What is a food pest?

• A. A disease-causing bacterium
• B. An animal or insect which lives on or eats our food
• C. A type of cleaning agent
• D. A harmless plant

Answer: (B)

In food safety, a pest is any animal or insect that lives on or eats our food. Pests can contaminate and damage food and packaging, spread disease, and create unsanitary conditions, making them a key concern for pest control programs in food service and production. They’re living creatures that interact with food, unlike microorganisms or cleaning products.

So the best fit is a living animal or insect that targets our food, not a bacterium, a cleaning agent, or a plant.