Escherichia coli is a bacterium commonly associated with which foods?

• A. Salmonella enterica
• B. Listeria monocytogenes
• C. Escherichia coli
• D. Staphylococcus aureus

Answer: (C)

Escherichia coli is a bacterium that can be found in foods because it originates in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals, and contamination can occur during processing or handling. It’s commonly linked to foods like undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk and dairy products, raw produce, and unpasteurized juices. The prompt points to the organism itself, so the best match is the bacterium named in the stem. While the other bacteria listed are also associated with foodborne illness, the question specifically asks which foods are linked to Escherichia coli.