Question

select the best evidence to support the statement that it’s possible to tell if something is no longer safe to eat by examining it.

signs of food spoilage may include an appearance different from the food in its fresh form, such as a change in color, a change in texture, an unpleasant odor, or an undesirable taste.

several factors cause food to spoil, making items unsuitable for consumption. light, oxygen, heat, humidity, and temperature can all affect both safety and quality of foods. when subject to these factors, foods will gradually deteriorate.

microorganisms occur everywhere in the environment. there is always a risk of spoilage when foods are exposed to unsuitable conditions. microbial spoilage results from bacteria, molds, and yeast. while microorganisms may or may not be harmful, the waste products they produce when growing on or in food may be unpleasant to taste.

adapted from u.s. department of agriculture, \protecting your family from food spoilage\

Explanation:

The first option talks about signs of food spoilage like changes in appearance (color, texture), odor, or taste. These are observable when examining food, directly supporting the idea that you can tell if food is unsafe by examining it. The other options discuss causes of spoilage (factors like light, heat) or microbial spoilage, which don't focus on how examination (looking at appearance, etc.) shows it's unsafe.

Answer:

Signs of food spoilage may include an appearance different from the food in its fresh form, such as a change in color, a change in texture, an unpleasant odor, or an undesirable taste.