Which pathogen is linked to the human body, such as skin and nose, and can contaminate cold cooked meat?

• A. Staphylococcus aureus
• B. Salmonella
• C. Bacillus cereus
• D. Listeria monocytogenes

Answer: (A)

Pathogens that live on the human body, such as on the skin and in the nose, can transfer to foods during handling. Staphylococcus aureus is a classic example because it commonly resides on skin and in nasal passages of healthy people. If cooked meat is handled with unclean hands or contaminated utensils and then kept for a while, this bacterium can contaminate the meat and produce toxins. These toxins are heat-stable, so cooking might kill the bacteria but may not destroy the toxins formed in the food, leading to rapid food poisoning after eating. That link to human body surfaces and the potential to contaminate cold cooked meat is what makes this organism the best answer. Other bacteria are associated more with environmental sources or different food types and don’t have that same direct connection to skin and nasal carriage.