TCFA Feedyard Technician Certification Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT a potential food safety contaminant in beef?

1. Physical contamination

2. Feed efficiency

3. Chemical contamination

4. Bacterial contamination

The correct answer is: Feed efficiency

Feed efficiency refers to the ratio of feed consumed to weight gained by cattle, which is primarily a measure of animal husbandry and production efficiency rather than a direct concern related to food safety. While improving feed efficiency is crucial for livestock management and economic sustainability, it does not inherently introduce contaminants into the beef product. In contrast, physical, chemical, and bacterial contaminations are all legitimate food safety concerns. Physical contamination involves foreign objects such as bone fragments or metal shavings getting into the beef during processing. Chemical contamination can occur through residues from veterinary drugs or pesticides that may be present in the feed or environment. Bacterial contamination is a significant concern, as harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli can lead to foodborne illnesses if the beef is not handled or cooked properly. These three contaminants directly impact the safety of the food supply, while feed efficiency focuses on production aspects rather than safety.