What factor does FAT TOMS NOT directly consider?

FAT TOM is a mnemonic that stands for the conditions that promote the growth of foodborne bacteria: Food, Acidity, Temperature, Time, Oxygen, and Moisture. Each factor plays a critical role in understanding how to control the growth of harmful microorganisms in food.

Personal hygiene, while incredibly important in food safety practices, does not directly fit into the FAT TOM criteria. Instead, it relates to the practices individuals must follow to prevent contamination, such as handwashing and wearing clean uniforms. It addresses how food handlers can prevent food from becoming unsafe, but it is not a specific environmental factor that influences bacterial growth like moisture, oxygen, acidity, temperature, or time.

Understanding these components helps in creating safe food handling and preparation practices, emphasizing that while personal hygiene is crucial to food safety, it operates on a different level compared to the direct environmental conditions described by FAT TOM.