Which are the four main types of hazard?

• A. Microbiological, Physical, Chemical, Allergenic
• B. Biological, Physical, Chemical, Radiological
• C. Biological, Physical, Chemical, Allergenic
• D. Biological, Chemical, Physical, Nutritional

Answer: (C)

In HACCP practice, hazards are grouped into four broad categories to ensure all risk types are considered. The four main types are biological, physical, chemical, and allergenic hazards. Biological hazards cover pathogens and microbes that can cause illness. Physical hazards are foreign objects like glass, metal, or plastic that could injure someone if ingested. Chemical hazards include contaminants such as cleaning agents, pesticides, toxins, or residues that can contaminate food. Allergenic hazards refer to ingredients or cross-contact with allergens that can trigger adverse reactions in susceptible individuals, necessitating careful labeling, segregation, and control measures.

Other options mix terms that aren’t used together as the standard four categories in this context—for example, radiological hazards and nutritional hazards aren’t treated as the core four in typical HACCP frameworks.