Do viruses grow and multiply in food?

Viruses do not grow or multiply in food. Unlike bacteria, which can replicate when provided with the right nutrients, moisture, and temperature, viruses require a living host to reproduce. They do not have the cellular machinery necessary for reproduction outside of a host organism, meaning they do not multiply in food itself.

While certain viruses can contaminate food and survive for a period of time, they remain inactive and are not capable of growth or reproduction until they enter a suitable host. This distinction is important for food safety, as it highlights the necessity of preventing cross-contamination and ensuring proper food handling, rather than focusing on growth conditions as one would with other microorganisms.

The other options suggest varying degrees of potential for viral activity in food, which is misleading since viruses primarily depend on living organisms to propagate.