Food safety refers to the practices and measures taken to ensure that food is safe to eat and free from harmful contaminants. This includes proper handling, cooking, and storage of food to prevent foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Key aspects of food safety involve maintaining cleanliness, cooking food to the right temperatures, and keeping raw and cooked foods separate. To promote food safety, organizations like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide guidelines and resources. Consumers can also play a role by following safe food handling practices at home, such as washing hands, using clean utensils, and checking expiration dates.