E. coli can be found in:

E. coli can be found in:

• A. Digestive tract of humans and animals; contamination of meats, dairy, yogurt, water
• B. Only in soil
• C. Only on plants
• D. Only in air

Answer: (A)

E. coli primarily resides in the digestive tracts of humans and animals. Because it lives in feces, foods and water can become contaminated when fecal matter comes into contact with them during slaughter, processing, handling, or inadequate sanitation. This is why meats, dairy products, yogurt, and water are common sources of contamination. While the bacterium can be found in soil, on plants, or in air under certain conditions, its most relevant food-safety origin is fecal contamination from the gut, which is why this combination of sources is the best description of where E. coli can be found.

E. coli primarily resides in the digestive tracts of humans and animals. Because it lives in feces, foods and water can become contaminated when fecal matter comes into contact with them during slaughter, processing, handling, or inadequate sanitation. This is why meats, dairy products, yogurt, and water are common sources of contamination. While the bacterium can be found in soil, on plants, or in air under certain conditions, its most relevant food-safety origin is fecal contamination from the gut, which is why this combination of sources is the best description of where E. coli can be found.