Food Safety Terms

noun a substance that prevents infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms

adjective capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms

• The doctor applied antiseptic to the wound before bandaging it.
• Make sure to clean the cut with antiseptic before putting on a band-aid.
• I always carry antiseptic wipes in my bag in case of any accidents.
• His words were like antiseptic, soothing the tension in the room.

verb to treat or combine with chlorine, typically in order to purify or disinfect

• The water treatment plant uses chlorine to chlorinate the drinking water supply.
• Make sure to chlorinate the pool before the party this weekend.
• I'm going to chlorinate the heck out of that algae in my fish tank.
• She tends to chlorinate any negativity in her life with a positive attitude.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective describing word that modifies a noun or pronoun

adverb describing word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb

• The laboratory must be kept dirt free to ensure accurate test results.
• Make sure to keep your workspace dirt free for a more pleasant environment.
• I love how this new cleaning product keeps everything dirt free with minimal effort.
• Her mind was like a dirt free canvas, ready for new ideas to flourish.

verb to change or cause to change in color, especially to a less attractive or less desirable one

• The fabric discolors easily when exposed to sunlight.
• I accidentally spilled bleach on my shirt and now it's all discolored.
• My sneakers got all funky and discolored after I wore them in the rain.
• The scandal has started to discolor his reputation in the eyes of the public.

noun the act of coming to an end or the end of a validity period

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The expiration date on this product is clearly marked on the packaging.
• Hey, don't forget to check the expiration date on the milk before you drink it.
• I accidentally ate some expired chips and now my stomach is killing me.
• His time at the company was nearing its expiration, as he had been underperforming for months.

verb to come to an end; to cease to be valid, as a contract or license

• The contract will expire at the end of this month.
• Don't forget that your driver's license will expire soon.
• My gym membership is about to expire, so I need to renew it.
• His patience seemed to expire after waiting for hours.

verb to explode or detonate

adverb in a manner that causes something to explode or detonate

• The alarm will go off at precisely 6:00 AM.
• I set my phone to go off in the morning so I don't oversleep.
• I heard that party last night really went off!
• The fireworks display will go off at 9:00 PM sharp.

adjective describing something that does not cause harm or damage

• The substance was proven to be harmless after extensive testing.
• Don't worry, it's just a harmless prank.
• That joke was totally harmless, no need to get upset.
• Her words may seem harmless, but they carry a deeper meaning.

adjective describing something that is clean and promotes good health by preventing the spread of disease

• It is important to maintain hygienic practices in food preparation to prevent contamination.
• Make sure to keep the kitchen clean and hygienic while cooking.
• Dude, that bathroom is so gross, we need to keep it more hygienic.
• Her approach to problem-solving is like a hygienic process, always clean and organized.

verb to expose to radiation or emit radiation

• The medical device is used to irradiate cancer cells.
• The sun can really irradiate your skin if you're not careful.
• Don't stay out too long or you'll get irradiated by the sun.
• His smile seemed to irradiate the room with warmth and joy.

verb to expose to radiation, such as light or heat

• The food was irradiated to kill any harmful bacteria.
• They irradiated the package to make sure it's safe to eat.
• They zapped the food with radiation to make it safe.
• His words seemed to be irradiated with anger.

adjective having a musty or damp smell; covered with mold

• The bread had gone mouldy due to improper storage.
• Ew, that cheese is mouldy, don't eat it!
• I found some mouldy old leftovers in the fridge.
• His mind was filled with mouldy ideas that needed freshening up.

adjective not allowing the passage of air, water, or other fluids

• The nonporous surface of the countertop makes it easy to clean.
• I prefer using nonporous containers for storing food.
• Dude, that nonporous phone case is so sleek!
• Her nonporous demeanor made it hard to know what she was really feeling.

noun a destructive insect or other animal that attacks crops, food, livestock, etc.

adjective annoying or harmful

• The farmers are using pesticides to control the pest population in their fields.
• I saw a pest in the kitchen and had to call the exterminator.
• That guy is such a pest, always bothering everyone.
• Negative thoughts can be like pests, constantly buzzing around and bothering us.

noun the quality or state of being pure; freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, or pollutes

• The purity of the water in this natural spring is unmatched.
• I love the purity of her intentions, she always has good motives.
• That party was lit, everyone was vibing with the purity of the music.
• The artist's painting captured the purity of emotion in a way that words cannot express.

verb to preserve or cool (food or drink) by storing it in a refrigerator

• It is important to refrigerate perishable foods to prevent foodborne illnesses.
• Don't forget to refrigerate the leftovers before they go bad.
• Hey, make sure you fridge that milk before it spoils.
• Sometimes we need to refrigerate our emotions before we can address them properly.

adjective describing a strong, unpleasant odor

• The smelly odor coming from the dumpster was overpowering.
• Ew, what's that smelly smell?
• That cheese is so smelly, it's like feet!
• His smelly attitude towards teamwork is hindering our progress.

noun goods stolen or taken forcibly from a person or place

verb diminish or destroy the value or quality of

• It is important not to spoil a child by giving them everything they want.
• Don't spoil your dinner by eating too many snacks before the meal.
• I'm going to spoil myself with a shopping spree this weekend.
• His bad behavior will spoil the reputation of the entire team.

verb to make something completely clean and free from bacteria or other microorganisms

• The medical staff must sterilize all surgical equipment before each procedure.
• Make sure to sterilize the baby bottles before using them.
• I'll just quickly sterilize these tweezers in boiling water.
• The intense heat of the sun seemed to sterilize the landscape, leaving it barren and lifeless.

adjective not clean; dirty

adverb in a dirty or impure manner

• The laboratory equipment must be thoroughly cleaned to ensure that it remains unclean.
• I can't believe how unclean the dishes are in the sink.
• This restaurant's kitchen is so gross, it's always unclean.
• His unclean conscience weighed heavily on him as he tried to sleep.

adjective describing something as unclean or not hygienic

• The restaurant was shut down due to unsanitary conditions in the kitchen.
• I wouldn't eat at that place, it's pretty unsanitary.
• That bathroom is so gross, it's totally unsanitary.
• His mind was like an unsanitary dump, filled with toxic thoughts.

adjective not contaminated or spoiled; pure or clean

• The evidence presented in court proved that the witness's testimony was untainted by bias.
• I prefer to buy untainted produce from the local farmers market.
• I only trust her untainted opinion on the matter.
• Her untainted soul shone brightly in a world full of darkness.

noun a act of cleaning or drying something by rubbing its surface with a cloth, a piece of paper, or one's hand

verb to clean or dry something by rubbing its surface with a cloth, a piece of paper, or one's hand

• Please remember to wipe the table clean after each use.
• Make sure to wipe down the counters before you leave.
• I'll just quickly wipe up this spill before it stains.
• He tried to wipe away his past mistakes, but they still haunted him.

noun a system of transporting and storing goods at low temperatures to maintain their quality and safety

• The pharmaceutical company invested in improving its cold chain to ensure the safe transport of vaccines.
• Make sure you pack the cooler properly to maintain the cold chain for the picnic.
• I always make sure to keep the cold chain unbroken when I'm transporting food.
• In order to maintain a healthy relationship, it's important to keep the communication channels open and not let the 'cold chain' develop.

adjective relating to or involving bacteriology, the branch of biology dealing with bacteria

• The laboratory conducted bacteriological tests to determine the presence of harmful bacteria in the water sample.
• The doctor recommended a bacteriological examination to rule out any infections.
• I heard they found some nasty stuff during the bacteriological analysis of the food samples.
• His words had a bacteriological effect on her mind, spreading doubt and insecurity.

noun a substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms

adjective describing a substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms

• The hospital uses antimicrobial coatings on all surfaces to prevent the spread of infections.
• I always make sure to use antimicrobial hand sanitizer before eating.
• Dude, you gotta get some of that antimicrobial spray for your gym bag.
• Her words had an antimicrobial effect on the toxic atmosphere in the room.

noun a person who has an extreme fear of germs and avoids contact with other people or objects that may be contaminated

• The germaphobe always carries hand sanitizer with them wherever they go.
• My friend is such a germaphobe, she won't even touch a doorknob without using a tissue.
• I can't stand being around that germaphobe, they're always freaking out about getting sick.
• She was a germaphobe when it came to her personal information, never sharing anything with anyone.

noun a toxin produced by certain fungi found on agricultural crops such as maize, peanuts, and tree nuts

• Aflatoxin is a potent carcinogen that can be found in contaminated food products.
• I heard aflatoxin can be really harmful if consumed in large amounts.
• Dude, you better watch out for that aflatoxin stuff in your snacks.
• Aflatoxin is like a silent killer lurking in our food supply.