Purpose of Food Safety Regulations

Scope

Food safety regulations are designed to protect public health by ensuring that food is safe to eat. These regulations help prevent contamination, foodborne illnesses, and unsafe handling practices throughout the food supply chain.

Regulatory requirements

Food safety is regulated by agencies such as:

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• State and local health departments

Examples include:

• FDA Food Code
• Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

Definitions

• Foodborne illness: A disease caused by consuming contaminated food or beverages
• Contamination: The presence of harmful substances in food (biological, chemical, or physical)
• Cross-contamination: The transfer of harmful bacteria or substances from one surface or food to another
• Sanitation: Practices used to keep food handling environments clean and safe
• Hazard: Any biological, chemical, or physical agent that can cause harm

Summary of requirements

In general, covered individuals and businesses are required to:

• Maintain clean and sanitary food preparation areas
• Properly store food at safe temperatures
• Prevent cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods
• Practice good personal hygiene (e.g., handwashing)
• Cook food to safe internal temperatures
• Use approved sources for food and ingredients
• Follow proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures
• Train employees on safe food handling practices