What type of food safety hazard is related to improper food storage?

Improper food storage is primarily associated with biological hazards. This is because inadequate storage conditions can promote the growth of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, molds, and yeasts that thrive in environments where temperature, humidity, and time are not properly controlled. For example, storing food at temperatures that are too high can facilitate bacterial growth, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses when the contaminated food is consumed.

While chemical hazards can arise from improper storage, for instance, if chemicals contaminate food, the primary concerns are often related to microbes that can proliferate due to improper storage practices. Physical hazards relate to foreign objects in food but are not directly affected by storage conditions. Nutritional hazards involve the quality and nutrient content of food, but they do not pertain to safety in the same way biological hazards do. Thus, the connection between improper food storage and the risk of biological hazards is the most significant concern in food safety.