Catering Glossary

bacteria

Bacteria are single-cell micro organisms which reproduce through cell division. 

Types: 

  • spherical bacteria (coccoid) 
  • rod-shaped bacteria (clostridium/bacillus) 
  • spiral-shaped bacteria (spirochete) 

Bacteria are everywhere and life is not possible without them. Whilst some of them are useful to humans (e.g. in the digestory tract) others are harmful to health. Examples are those which cause infectious diseases or spoil food causing food poisoning through the production of toxins.