Gaining consistent access to nourishment daily is not our only challenge as human beings who rely on food to survive; food safety is an essential practice in keeping people safe and healthy. On a personal level, food safety when preparing food for consumption often involves four steps: "Clean, Separate, Cook, and/or Chill." This generally looks like frequently washing the tools used while prepping, separating food to prevent contamination (especially important for raw meat and poultry), ensuring foods are cooked at the right temperature, and refrigerating food before bacteria can form.
When food safety and food insecurity are intertwined, targeting food safety is critical to making progress in limiting food insecurity globally. The World Health Organization affirms that, "Good collaboration between governments, food producers and consumers is needed to help ensure food safety and stronger food systems." When these initiatives are not taken, foodborne illnesses have room to afflict millions of people, some cases severe enough to lead to long-term disability or death.
Florida has several departments in place to implement proper food safety protocols. The Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Business and Professional Regulations, and Health all operate to ensure consumers have access to safe food. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services primarily deals with grocery stores and food processing/distribution: how and where food gets to consumers. The Department of Business and Professional Regulations handles restaurants and other food caterers, such as mobile food vehicles. Lastly, the Department of Health covers a range of food services, including food, theaters, and other institutions.
Many of the strict handling requirements for food in Florida are policy efforts done by the agencies in charge of food safety. When it comes to training, there are specific state-approved programs for food safety for any food handlers or employees in food service. Going through the training allows institutions and workers that do follow these practices to be certified, and food establishments must have a certified food manager. Florida's food safety policies also include routine inspections and training renewal requirements.