Which virus is commonly linked to fecal contamination in food handling?

• A. Norovirus
• B. Hepatitis A
• C. Salmonella
• D. Listeria

Answer: (A)

Fecal-oral transmission of viruses in food service makes norovirus the virus most commonly linked to fecal contamination of foods. It’s extraordinarily contagious and requires only a tiny amount of virus to cause illness. This means a food handler who is sick or who hasn’t washed hands after using the restroom can easily transfer the virus to foods, utensils, or surfaces, especially in settings with many people handling ready-to-eat items. Norovirus also survives well on surfaces and in refrigerated foods, leading to rapid, widespread outbreaks in restaurants and other food facilities. While Hepatitis A is also a fecal-oral virus and can contaminate food, norovirus is far more commonly involved in food-handling outbreaks. The other options are bacteria, not viruses, so they don’t fit the question.