Food safety is defined as the concept that: Food when prepared and/or consumed according to its intended use does not cause health risk to consumers. Food means a raw, cooked, or processed edible substance, ice, beverage, or ingredient used or intended for use or for sale in whole or in part for human consumption or chewing.

Food safety is related to the occurrence of food safety hazards. A food safety hazard is a biological, chemical, or physical agent in food, or condition of food, with the potential to cause an adverse health effect. Since a food hazard can occur at any point along the food chain, a farm-to-table approach is required to safeguard food.