Food safety is the proper handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent food borne illness. Food safety is a concern shared by consumers, industry and governments and involves the protection of the food supply from microbial, chemical and physical hazards or contamination that may occur during all stages of food production and handling (growing, harvesting, processing, transporting, preparing, distributing and storing).
Food safety has become a dominant issue for consumers. It is the subject of almost daily reports in the media. In 2006 the United States had eight specific corporate recalls due to E.coli affecting 156,000 pounds of ground beef. In 2007 there were twenty-one recalls affecting more than 30 million pounds of beef. As a result of these events hundreds of individuals became ill and many more were infected but probably misdiagnosed.