Which of the following is not an example of a physical contaminant?

In the context of food safety, physical contaminants refer to foreign objects that may inadvertently enter food and pose a risk to consumer safety. These can include items like hair, metal fragments, and scabs, as they are solid objects that can emerge from food handling processes or food preparation environments.

Mold, on the other hand, is a biological contaminant, specifically a type of fungus. It can grow on food and lead to spoilage or foodborne illness, but it does not fit the definition of a physical contaminant, as it is not a solid, foreign object that can be removed from food. Thus, recognizing mold as a biological concern rather than a physical one is essential for proper food safety management.