AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Salmonella food poisoning is spread by bacteria ingested in food, or on…
Full specification wording
Bacterial diseases: Salmonella food poisoning is spread by bacteria ingested in food, or on food prepared in unhygienic conditions.
Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning when it is swallowed in contaminated food or transferred onto food during unhygienic preparation.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 7
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning when it is swallowed in contaminated food or transferred onto food during unhygienic preparation. The bacteria multiply in the gut and release toxins that irritate the digestive system, causing symptoms such as cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. Common sources include undercooked poultry, eggs and meat, while cross-contamination occurs when raw food touches cooked or ready-to-eat food, or when hands, boards and knives are not washed. Prevention therefore focuses on cooking food thoroughly, storing raw and cooked foods separately, washing hands and surfaces, and keeping food at safe temperatures. Most people recover, but severe cases can cause dehydration, so rehydration is important.
What earns the marks
- Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning.
- Infection occurs when contaminated food containing the bacteria is eaten.
- Unhygienic preparation can transfer bacteria onto food, for example via hands, utensils or surfaces.
- Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps and fever caused by toxins.
- Prevention includes thorough cooking, hand washing, separating raw and cooked food and safe storage.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Calling Salmonella a virus.
Put it right: Salmonella is a bacterium, so it can be treated with antibiotics in serious cases and is controlled by hygiene and cooking.
Thinking food poisoning is caused by food going off only.
Put it right: Salmonella can be present in food that looks and smells normal, so thorough cooking is essential.
Ignoring cross-contamination; correction: bacteria can transfer from raw meat to salad via a chopping board, so separate boards and washing are needed.
Exam tips
- Name a specific food source such as undercooked chicken or eggs to make the answer concrete.
- Use the term cross-contamination when explaining how bacteria reach ready-to-eat food.
- Link each symptom to the effect of bacterial toxins on the digestive system.
Try the lesson
The start of the Bacterial diseases: Salmonella food poisoning is spread by bacteria ingested in food, or on food prepared in unhygienic conditions. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which statement describes how Salmonella food poisoning is spread?
Listen
Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning when it is swallowed in contaminated food or transferred onto food during unhygienic preparation. The bacteria multiply in the gut and release toxins that irritate the digestive system, causing symptoms such as cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. Common sources include undercooked poultry, eggs and meat, while cross-contamination occurs when raw food touches cooked or ready-to-eat food, or when hands, boards and knives are not washed. Prevention therefore focuses on cooking food thoroughly, storing raw and cooked foods separately, washing hands and surfaces, and keeping food at safe temperatures. Most people recover, but severe cases can cause dehydration, so rehydration is important. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning. Infection occurs when contaminated food containing the bacteria is eaten. Unhygienic preparation can transfer bacteria onto food, for example via hands, utensils or surfaces. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps and fever caused by toxins. A common slip: Calling Salmonella a virus. Instead, Salmonella is a bacterium, so it can be treated with antibiotics in serious cases and is controlled by hygiene and cooking. Exam tip: Name a specific food source such as undercooked chicken or eggs to make the answer concrete.
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