Food safety, nutrition and food security are inextricably linked (WHO). Just as it is vital for humans to have food that is safe to eat, it is as equally as important needing that food to be beneficial for our health and having reliable access to food.
In the U.S., most health organizations define food safety as practices to keep the food we handle safe for consumption. The CDC and FDA both list out steps for people to do to ensure safe food handling, such as washing one's hands before dealing with food and cooking certain foods at the right temperature.
As of late, there are programs that are engaging youth in what food safety is and how we get those standards. Programs such as the UN Food System Hub is a group of youth who are committed to raising awareness of food safety and health, supporting climate reforms and fair wages for those who work within food systems. Youth through this movement are empowering themselves to do what they can to inform and support food safety while calling on larger companies to do their part to make food systems more accessible.
The U.S. government has implemented movements to create meals that have a balanced diet served in schools nationwide. However, many groups such as the School Meals Coalition have argued that there needs to be improvements to these meals and advocate for better nutritional meals in schools. Particularly, they advocate for these meals to be reached for students who qualify for free or reduced lunches in schools.
Groups like Teens for Food Justice work to inform and implement farming habits to grow food, educate youth on food advocacy and how to spread the message through communities. This organization allows youth to get involved in many ways, whether that be through planting techniques, educational teachings or community organization, youth here can create a lasting impact in communities that don't have food security.