What is Food Safety and Why is it So Important?

Food safety is the purification of food from harmful factors during the production, processing, distribution and consumption stages in order to protect human health. Safe food should be free from physical, chemical and biological hazards, its nutritional value should be preserved and presented in a way that will not harm the consumer. So why is food safety so important?

Unsafe food can lead to foodborne diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 600 million people get sick every year due to contaminated food. Such diseases are especially life-threatening for individuals with weak immune systems. Food safety plays a critical role in protecting public health. An assurance that food is safe strengthens consumer loyalty. Consumers tend to prefer healthy and clean foods. Food safety measures increase trust in producers and provide a competitive advantage in the market. Unsafe food can cause major economic losses for producers and suppliers. Foodborne diseases can result in labor losses, product recalls and penalties. Safe food production is essential for the long-term sustainability of businesses.

There are some basic principles of food safety and these principles are very important.

1. Hygiene and Sanitation:

It is essential to comply with hygiene rules during the production phase of food. Every detail, from workers to the equipment used, must be clean. This is a critical step to prevent the contamination of microorganisms.

2. Food Traceability:

The ability to trace all stages of food from the field to the table allows rapid access to the source in case of a possible problem. This traceability is important for recalling foods and protecting public health and ensuring food safety.

3. Avoiding Harmful Substances:

Chemical pesticides, additives and toxic components in packaging materials can damage foods. Safe foods should be free of these harmful substances. Similarly, proper storage and cooking of foods also ensures safety.

4. Adequate Cooking and Correct Storage:

Food safety requires that some foods, especially meat and dairy products, cause diseases when not cooked or stored at the correct temperature. Proper cooking of food helps to neutralize microorganisms.

As individuals living and sustaining our lives in this society, we also have responsibilities regarding food safety. So what are they?

•Pay Attention to Food Storage Conditions: Storing food at appropriate temperatures and ensuring refrigerator order prevents contamination.

•Check Expiration Dates: Paying attention to the expiration dates of food products protects against consuming spoiled food.

•Pay Attention to Food Hygiene: Washing our hands before and after eating and following hygiene rules while preparing food are simple but effective steps for our health.

•Prefer Local and Organic Products: If possible, shopping from reliable producers and organic certified products contributes to a healthier diet.

Food safety is not only a health issue, but also of great importance in terms of economic, social and environmental sustainability. Acting consciously as a consumer, focusing on safe production processes as a producer and conducting effective inspections at the state level are of vital importance for a safe food chain. When food security is not ensured, both individuals and societies pay a heavy price. Therefore, increasing awareness about food safety is a must for the growth of healthy generations.