What is one of the primary purposes of food safety regulations?

The primary purpose of food safety regulations is to prevent foodborne illnesses. These regulations are designed to establish health standards and practices that help ensure food is safe for consumption. By implementing guidelines for proper food handling, cooking temperatures, and storage techniques, food safety regulations aim to minimize the risk of pathogens, contaminants, and other harmful substances reaching consumers. This approach helps protect public health, maintain confidence in food supplies, and reduce healthcare costs related to foodborne illnesses.

Increasing food prices, limiting food variety, or promoting faster food production do not align with the fundamental goal of safeguarding public health. Instead, these aspects may sometimes be considered as side effects of regulations but are not their primary intent. The essential focus remains on preventing illness and ensuring that food safety practices are enacted across the food supply chain.