by 
The Curious Bag
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about a quarter of the U.S. population suffers from food-borne illness of some sort every year. Many such cases are preventable by adherence to food safety techniques.
The Facts
Food safety is a set of policies and procedures designed to reduce risks of mishandled, infected or contaminated food.
Disease Transmission
In addition to diseases from the food itself, like salmonella from meat, improperly handled food---items touched by a cook or server with unclean hands---allows transmission of illness from one person to another. Following proper food safety procedures prevents this transmission.
Prevents Contamination
Using filtered water if the tap water is unsafe prevents contaminants---such as dangerous chemicals and microorganisms---from getting into the food via washing.
Prevents Cross-Contamination
Avoiding carelessness with utensils and work surfaces, such as using the same cutting board for raw meat and vegetables, reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
Prevents Spoilage
Food safety procedures include directions on how to store certain foods---temperature guidelines and how long foods last---to safeguard against bacteria growth and spoilage.
Source:
Rushcliffe Borough Council: Food Safety
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