Food microbiology
| Food safety | 
|---|
| Terms | 
| Critical factors | 
| Bacterial pathogens | 
| Viral pathogens | 
| Parasitic pathogens | 
Food microbiology is the study of the microorganisms that inhabit, create, or contaminate food. This includes the study of microorganisms causing food spoilage; pathogens that may cause disease (especially if food is improperly cooked or stored); microbes used to produce fermented foods such as cheese, yogurt, bread, beer, and wine; and microbes with other useful roles, such as producing probiotics.