What is one of the ways rodents can affect food supplies?

Rodents can significantly impact food supplies primarily through disease contamination. When rodents come into contact with food, they can transfer pathogens and diseases due to their waste, fur, and saliva. This contamination can lead to spoilage, making food unsafe for consumption. The presence of rodents in food storage areas often necessitates disposal of contaminated food products to prevent foodborne illnesses, thus directly reducing the availability of safe food supplies for humans. The health risks associated with consuming contaminated food underscore the seriousness of rodent infestations in any food supply chain.