What does the term "case" refer to in a food safety context?

In the context of food safety, the term "case" typically refers to an occurrence of illness associated with food, often indicating that one or more individuals have contracted a foodborne illness linked to a specific food source. This usage is commonly seen in public health and epidemiological studies where each reported illness is documented as a case.

Identifying a case helps authorities track the source of contamination, understand the nature of the illness, and implement measures to prevent further outbreaks. In this way, it serves as a crucial element in assessing and monitoring food safety and public health issues.

While the other choices touch on related aspects of food safety, they do not encapsulate the specific definition of "case" as it pertains to an individual instance of illness, making the chosen answer the most accurate in this context.