TERMIUM Plus®

From: Translation Bureau

On social media

Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.

FOOD SPOILAGE [18 records]

Record 1 2025-07-22

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Safety
  • Regulations and Standards (Food)
  • Collaboration with the FAO
OBS

It describes the attributes of a food that influence its value and that make it acceptable or desirable for the consumer.

OBS

This includes attributes such as size, shape, colour, texture, flavour, food composition(ingredients and nutrients), and the methods by which food is produced or processed(e. g., "organic, ""cage-free, ""without antibiotics"). It also encompasses negative attributes like spoilage, contamination with filth, discolouration, and off-odours, as well as positive attributes such as origin, colour, flavour, texture, and processing method.

Key term(s)
  • SUSTAGRIDUR2025

French

Domaine(s)
  • Salubrité alimentaire
  • Réglementation et normalisation (Alimentation)
  • Collaboration avec la FAO
CONT

La qualité des aliments englobe les aspects allant de la composition des produits jusqu'à la perception du consommateur.

Spanish

Save record 1

Record 2 2025-01-28

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Preservation and Canning
DEF

The use of various methods to prevent spoilage of food.

OBS

It can be done for example by canning, pickling, or freezing.

PHR

meat preservation, milk preservation, vegetable preservation

French

Domaine(s)
  • Conservation des aliments et conserverie
DEF

Utilisation de divers procédés pour empêcher un aliment de s'altérer ou de se gâter.

PHR

conservation de la viande, conservation des légumes, conservation du lait

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Conservación de los alimentos y elaboración de conservas
CONT

La conservación de los alimentos es el conjunto de procesos realizados en sus distintas fases del productor a la mesa, destinados a garantizar la vida e higiene de los alimentos.

Save record 2

Record 3 2018-12-05

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Industries
  • Packaging
CONT

Incipient spoilage involves the spoilage of canned food prior to the time it is thermally processed. Incipient spoilage can take place at any time prior to the thermal process. This microbiological growth may challenge the thermal process designed for the product.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Industrie de l'alimentation
  • Emballages

Spanish

Save record 3

Record 4 2015-04-08

English

Subject field(s)
  • Biological Sciences
  • Winemaking
  • Cheese and Dairy Products
CONT

Molds are of importance in wine making, first, because of the damage they may do to the grapes before or after picking and, second, because they often grow in empty wooden cooperage imparting a moldy odor and taste to the wood.

OBS

... Molds are distinguished by the formation of a mycelium.

CONT

(1) can cause food spoilage very rapidly(2) Some are used for food manufacturing as in the ripening of cheeses(3) A number of food are fermented with moulds.(4) Most of the antibiotics are mould products.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Sciences biologiques
  • Industrie vinicole
  • Laiterie, beurrerie et fromagerie
CONT

Il suffit de quelques centimètres carrés de moisissure pour communiquer ce mauvais goût et altérer le vin. La moisissure se développe dans les fûts insuffisamment aseptisés, mal égouttés, ou placés en lieux humides. Elle ne tapisse pas seulement la paroi de ses efflorescences grises, jaunes ou vertes; elle pénètre aussi, plus ou moins profondément, par son mycélium, dans les pores du bois.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Ciencias biológicas
  • Industria vinícola
  • Productos lácteos
DEF

Nombre dado a los hongos micromicetes que modifican la naturaleza química de las materias sobre las cuales se fijan y proliferan.

CONT

El vino hecho con uva que contenía racimos mohosos o vertido en cubas enmohecidas adquiere un desagradable gusto a moho que puede ser suprimido por [...] clarificaciones y trasiegos repetidos, adición al vino de un aceite neutro [...].

Save record 4

Record 5 2012-10-17

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Industries
DEF

Deterioration in the color, flavor, odor, or consistency of a food product.

CONT

Any perceivable change undergone by a food, through any cause, that renders it unwholesome or unacceptable for use. Spoilage is usually the result of enzyme or microbial action resulting, for example, in lipolytic rancidity, putrefaction, fermentation, or mould growth; but food can also spoil by other means, for example overlong storage, non-enzymic browning, or exposure to air or light. In practice the term is most frequently applied to categorising such deteriorative changes(other than food infection or intoxication) when caused by microorganisms.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Industrie de l'alimentation
DEF

Changement, modification, transformation d'un produit alimentaire due à des facteurs chimiques et biologiques responsables de la diminution de sa qualité.

Key term(s)
  • dégradation

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Industria alimentaria
DEF

Proceso de degradación de los nutrientes del alimento.

CONT

La descomposición de los alimentos se debe a la acción de microorganismos como las bacterias que se encuentran presentes en el medio ambiente. Pero, los alimentos también se echan a perder debido a temperaturas altas, humedad, luz, oxígeno o simplemente con el paso del tiempo. Todos estos factores intervienen en un proceso químico y físico que transforma las sustancias de los alimentos.

Save record 5

Record 6 2010-02-22

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Preservation and Canning
CONT

The term "semiperishable" refers to food items that are canned, dried, dehydrated, or otherwise processed to the extent that such items under normal circumstances may be stored in nonrefrigerated spaces. Spoilage will occur if items are mishandled, improperly stored, or stored too long. Semiperishable food items must be stored in clean, cool, dry, well ventilated storerooms and must be inspected regularly for signs of damage or spoilage.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Conservation des aliments et conserverie
DEF

Aliment qui peut être conservé un certain temps à température [ambiante], mais beaucoup plus longuement à basse température.

Key term(s)
  • aliment semi-périssable

Spanish

Save record 6

Record 7 2007-10-29

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Industries
DEF

A utensil used for drying and preserving foods by removing most of the natural moisture contained in the food, thus reducing the potential problems with spoilage that occur with fresh foods.

OBS

The typical result of the dehydration process is a food that is smaller in size and may have a flattened or irregular shape.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Industrie de l'alimentation
CONT

Déshydrateur d'aliments [...] Permet de déshydrater les légumes, fruits, viandes, poissons, herbes, épices, etc. . . Le seul appareil qui permet de réaliser les crêpes de fruits ou de légumes déshydratées.

Spanish

Save record 7

Record 8 2007-03-11

English

Subject field(s)
  • Packaging
  • Food Industries
CONT

Antimicrobial food packaging is directed toward reduction of surface contamination on processed, prepared foods such as sliced meats and hot dogs. The use of such packaging materials is not meant to be a substitute for good sanitation practices but should enhance the safety of food as an additional hurdle for the growth of pathogenic and/or spoilage microorganisms.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Emballages
  • Industrie de l'alimentation
CONT

Kodak, célèbre fabricant de films photographiques, utilise la nanotechnologie dans la conception d'un emballage alimentaire antimicrobien qui sera lancé en 2005. Kodak développe aussi un autre emballage actif qui absorbe l'oxygène, ce qui préserve la fraîcheur des aliments.

Spanish

Save record 8

Record 9 2004-12-01

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Additives
  • Biochemistry
DEF

A substance added to chemicals, natural products, fabrics, or food products to preserve them against decay, discoloration, or spoilage...

Key term(s)
  • chemical preservative

French

Domaine(s)
  • Additifs alimentaires
  • Biochimie
DEF

Substances qui ont pour but de conserver les aliments. [Elles sont destinées] à empêcher l'altération des aliments (fermentations, moisissures, putréfactions).

OBS

Le mot «préservatif» ne s'applique pas, en français, à un additif chimique mais désigne plutôt une enveloppe protectrice employée par l'homme comme moyen de protection contre les maladies sexuellement transmissibles ou comme contraceptif.

Key term(s)
  • préservateur chimique
  • antiseptique

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Aditivos alimentarios
  • Bioquímica
Save record 9

Record 10 2004-07-14

English

Subject field(s)
  • Freezing and Refrigerating
  • Transport of Goods
CONT

Safety standards in cold chain logistics are applied inconsistently among the provinces and result in enormously high spoilage rates and millions of cases of food poisoning. Despite recent changes, Chinese consumers are often victimized by food that has been mishandled or "temperature abused. "For imported foods, a new labeling system requires both provincial and national-level approvals of labels before goods can be inspected and physically transported.

OBS

cold chain: a system used to transport vaccines [food or other products] at a constant temperature involving a chain of refrigerators and portable cool boxes.

Key term(s)
  • cold chain logistic
  • cold-chain logistics
  • cold-chain logistic

French

Domaine(s)
  • Congélation, surgélation et réfrigération
  • Transport de marchandises
CONT

Vacciner les enfants. ... Autre problème, en certains endroits la température dépasse 40° pendant d'assez longues périodes; il a donc fallu renforcer la logistique de la chaîne du froid et investir beaucoup d'argent dans les réfrigérateurs robots (surnommés «R2D2» à cause du film sur la guerre des étoiles).

Spanish

Save record 10

Record 11 2003-12-18

English

Subject field(s)
  • Chemistry
  • Biotechnology
CONT

This research was undertaken to develop a new rapid test for oyster quality which measures the group of compounds designated as total reducing substances(TRS). These TRS are derived as bacterial metabolic by-products during spoilage and are capable of reducing a solution of alkaline potassium permanganate(Source : Journal of Food Science, 1975, vol. 40, p. 125).

French

Domaine(s)
  • Chimie
  • Biotechnologie
OBS

Voir : "Inactivation comparée de : Poliovirus I, Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi B par le chlore et par l'ozone en fonction du potentiel d'oxydo-réduction, du temps de contact, et de la concentration du milieu en substances réductrices". Publication du Ministère de l'Environnement, France.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Química
  • Biotecnología
Save record 11

Record 12 1999-12-02

English

Subject field(s)
  • Special Rail Transport
  • Freezing and Refrigerating
  • Food Industries
CONT

Trucking has always been the mode of choice for shipping refrigerated product. But with recent developments in technology, the railways are becoming more confident they can measure up as a viable service alternative... A few weeks ago, US-based Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway(BNSF), ran its first all-refrigerated train from Illinois to California. It carried frozen product at a constant temperature for the entire 69-hour trip. There were no re-fuelling stops and so far, no cases of food spoilage... When you put a trailer on a train, there's nobody really looking after it, so if loads go bad or(the units) run out of fuel they don’t notice until it's too late. The difference with the BNSF service is the whole train is refrigerated and therefore gets constant attention.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Transports ferroviaires spéciaux
  • Congélation, surgélation et réfrigération
  • Industrie de l'alimentation
CONT

L'offre «FrigoRail» pour les transports en wagons frigorifiques et isothermes ICF ainsi qu'en trains frigorifiques russes se caractérise par : des prix ferroviaires de bout en bout compétitifs, un interlocuteur unique, des durées d'acheminement remarquables, un transbordement sans faille à Brest [...]

Spanish

Save record 12

Record 13 1999-11-09

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Industries
  • Food Additives
DEF

Processing designed to protect food from spoilage caused by microbes, enzymes, and autooxidation.

Key term(s)
  • preservation of food

French

Domaine(s)
  • Industrie de l'alimentation
  • Additifs alimentaires
DEF

Action destinée à maintenir les denrées dans leur état initial en les préservant de l'altération et de la destruction.

OBS

Certains procédés de conservation ne font que retarder les effets de l'altération de quelques jours (réfrigération), ou de quelques semaines (salage), mais d'autres assurent une stabilisation des denrées pour des périodes pouvant s'étendre sur plusieurs mois ou plusieurs années (congélation, lyophilisation, conserve, etc [...]

Spanish

Save record 13

Record 14 1996-06-22

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Preservation and Canning
DEF

To heat food after packaging to kill all bacteria and prevent spoilage.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Conservation des aliments et conserverie
DEF

Faire chauffer les aliments après leur emballage pour tuer les bactéries et éviter qu'ils ne se gâtent.

OBS

Source : MS 276/84.

Spanish

Save record 14

Record 15 1994-10-13

English

Subject field(s)
  • Microbiology and Parasitology
  • Food Industries
DEF

The science that deals with the microorganisms involved in the spoilage, contamination, and preservation of food.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Microbiologie et parasitologie
  • Industrie de l'alimentation
CONT

Les aliments bruts sont souillés de microbes. Certains sont pathogènes et provoquent des toxi-infections alimentaires. La microbiologie alimentaire étudie ces microbes et les moyens de s'en défendre.

Spanish

Save record 15

Record 16 1990-06-01

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Preservation and Canning
CONT

Spoilage of canned foods by C. thermosaccharolyticum may be due to underprocessing rather than high temperature storage.(From : journal of Japanese Society of Food Service and Technology).

CONT

Blown or hard swell (not caused by underprocessing).

OBS

underheating.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Conservation des aliments et conserverie

Spanish

Save record 16

Record 17 1987-12-09

English

Subject field(s)
  • Standards and Regulations (Chemistry)
CONT

A total reducing substance test for ascertaining oyster quality(...) : This research was undertaken to develop a new rapid test for oyster quality which measures the group of compounds designated as total reducing substances(TRS). These TRS are derived as bacterial metabolic by-products during spoilage and are capable of reducing a solution of alkaline potassium permanganate.(Source : Journal of Food Science, 1975, vol. 40, p. 125).

French

Domaine(s)
  • Normes et réglementation (Chimie)
OBS

Source : PASCAL.

Spanish

Save record 17

Record 18 1986-11-03

English

Subject field(s)
  • Food Industries
CONT

Foods undergo deteriorations of varying degree in their organoleptic properties, nutritional value, safety and esthetic appeal. The term food deterioration is often associated with advanced spoilage, as might make food unfit for human consumption. In the broader sense, however, any adverse change in a food's attributes from an agreed upon measure of quality may be considered deterioration.

OBS

Food is subject to physical, chemical, and biological deterioration.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Industrie de l'alimentation
DEF

Modification de l'état des denrées alimentaires dans le sens d'une dénaturation ou d'une dégradation.

CONT

L'altération des denrées alimentaires s'opère sous l'influence de différents facteurs d'ordre physico-chimiques et biologiques. Elle est le fait, non seulement des éléments internes aux produits comme les enzymes, mais provient des apports extérieurs dus aux conditions normales de l'environnement (température, lumière, rayonnement...) ou aux contaminations (par ex. : par les microorganismes) ou aux pollutions.

Spanish

Save record 18

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Features

GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)

Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: