Will food safety jeopardize food security?

Abstract

By a new definition proposed here, food safety is not just about safe food but the safe consumption of food. This draws attention to the issue of overeating as well as undernourishment. With the transition of diets and a rapid rise in obesity, worldwide, chronic illnesses join acute illness (from microbiological contamination) as health issues related to food consumption. The economics of obesity overwhelms the costs of microbiological contamination, with large impacts on private and social health care costs. In food-insecure areas, producing and consuming unsafe food does not build a healthy population nor does it allow export of food to other nations. Safety and security must work hand in hand to enhance human health. Copyright 2005 International Association of Agricultural Economics.