E. coli potentially contaminates food through–

Correct option is B

Option (a): Incorrect
• Plants themselves are not primary contamination sources; they only become contaminated if irrigated or washed with contaminated water.
• Hence, plants are indirect carriers, not the original contamination route.
Option (b): Correct
• E. coli contamination mainly originates from fecal contamination of water sources.
• Contaminated water used in washing raw foods, preparing food, making ice, dairy dilution, or food processing is the most common and direct route of food contamination.
• FSSAI food microbiology guidelines classify E. coli as a water-linked indicator organism for fecal contamination.
Option (c): Incorrect
• Soil can contain bacteria but is not a major direct contamination route for E. coli unless it is already contaminated by sewage or manure.
• It is considered a secondary route.
Option (d): Incorrect
• E. coli is not airborne. It does not spread through air; it spreads through fecal–oral transmission via contaminated water and food.