What illness can be transmitted through contaminated food by food handlers?

Norovirus is often referred to as the "stomach flu," although it is not related to the influenza virus. This particular virus is highly contagious and can easily be transmitted through contaminated food, especially when handled by individuals who do not follow proper hygiene protocols. Food handlers who are infected, even if they do not exhibit symptoms, can contaminate food they prepare, leading to outbreaks of norovirus in settings such as restaurants, cafes, and catering services.

While Salmonella and Campylobacter are also illnesses that can be transmitted through food, they are primarily associated with specific types of food contamination, such as undercooked poultry or eggs in the case of Salmonella, and raw or undercooked poultry and meat for Campylobacter. Influenza, on the other hand, is primarily a respiratory virus and is not transmitted through food. Thus, focusing on the mechanism of contamination through food handling practices, norovirus stands out as particularly associated with foodborne illness caused by improper hygiene by food handlers.