Which factor is listed as a cause of food deterioration due to infestation by insects, parasites, and rodents?

• A. Infestation by insects, parasites, and rodents
• B. Light
• C. Time
• D. Acidity

Answer: (A)

Infestation by insects, parasites, and rodents is the factor described as causing deterioration through pest activity. Pests directly damage food by chewing, boring, or shredding packaging and product, which creates openings for spoilage microbes and contamination. They leave behind waste, shed body parts, and can transfer pathogens, all of which degrade safety, appearance, and odor. This makes pest infestation a distinct and specific cause of deterioration tied to infestation itself, unlike light, time, or acidity, which affect quality through other mechanisms such as chemical reactions or aging and are not the result of pest activity.