About food safety
Food safety facts
Safe food is the assurance that food will not cause the consumer adverse health effects when it is prepared or eaten according to its intended use (Codex Alimentarius ).
Ensuring food safety and quality is essential for protecting public health, keeping food systems running, and enabling sustainable economic development through safe trade and market access.
Why does food safety matter?
Food safety protects health and saves lives
Millions of people fall ill every year as a result of unsafe food. Vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and older adults are especially at risk.
Food safety supports food security and nutrition
Safe food contributes to good nutrition and sustainable food systems, while unsafe food undermines health and development.
Food safety strengthens economies and trade
Food safety is essential for access to local, regional and international markets; supporting farmers, businesses and national economies.
Understanding foodborne hazards
Food business operators (FBOs) need to be aware of hazards that may affect their food. FBOs need to understand the consequences of these hazards for consumer health and should ensure that they are properly managed. Examples of such hazards are:
- harmful bacteria or viruses;
- unsafe levels of residues of pesticides or veterinary drugs;
- glass or metal fragments;
- chemical hazards (such as pesticides or cleaning agents);
- physical hazards (such as glass or metal fragments).
These hazards can appear at any point – during production, processing, transportation or preparation.
That’s why food safety matters at every step, from farm to fork.
