Texas Food Managers Certification Practice Exam

Trichinosis normally occurs in undercooked?

1. Chicken

2. Ground beef

3. Wild game

4. Vegetables

The correct answer is: Wild game

Trichinosis is a parasitic infection caused by the consumption of undercooked meat that contains larvae of the Trichinella species, commonly found in certain types of wild animals. The infection is most often associated with undercooked pork, but in wildlife, it can be prevalent in certain species of wild game, such as bears or wild boars. These animals can carry the Trichinella larvae due to their diet and the way they interact with their environment. Because the question specifically asks about undercooked products, wild game is the correct answer, as it has a higher risk of containing this parasite compared to domesticated animals like chicken or ground beef, which are less commonly associated with trichinosis when cooked properly. Furthermore, vegetables are not a source of trichinosis since the parasite is specific to animal meat. Thus, understanding the sources and transmission of Trichinella in wild game emphasizes the importance of cooking meat from these sources thoroughly to eliminate any risk of infection.