Why is food safety required?

Every day people get ill from the food they eat. Bacteria, viruses and parasites found in food can cause food poisoning. Often, there's no way of telling if food is contaminated because it might not look, taste or smell any different from normal. Food safety is required, as it refers to the conditions and practices that preserve the quality of food to prevent contamination and food-borne illnesses.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA educates consumers about the importance of safe food handling and how to reduce the risks associated with foodborne illness. It's Especially Important for At-Risk Groups. The food supply in the United States is among the safest in the world.