Food Safety is a scientific and applied field that focuses on ensuring that food produced, distributed and consumed is safe and healthy. This specialization includes the study of systems and procedures aimed at preventing and controlling food contamination and ensuring quality and food safety from farm to fork. The food safety major includes a range of sciences such as biology, chemistry, microbiology, and food engineering.

Fields of study in food safety:
Food Microbiology:

• Pathogenic Microorganisms: The study of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause food diseases.
• Microbiology applications: The use of techniques to detect and monitor microbial contaminants in foods.

Food Chemistry:

• Chemical component analysis: the study of chemical reactions in foods and how they affect quality and safety.
• Food additives: Evaluating the use of food additives and their impact on human health.

Food Engineering:

Production Processes: Improving food production and processing processes to ensure safety.

Packaging: Developing packaging materials and technologies that maintain the quality and safety of food products.

Quality Management:

• Quality Management Systems: Implementing systems such as HACCP and ISO 22000 to ensure food safety.
• Evaluation and monitoring: Develop strategies to continuously evaluate food quality and safety.

Foodborne Epidemiology:

• Disease Outbreak Study: Analyze foodborne disease outbreaks and develop strategies for their prevention.
• Public health monitoring: Working with health authorities to monitor and control food diseases.

Food Laws and Regulations:

• Food Legislation: Understand the laws and regulations related to food safety at the local and international levels.
• Inspection and Compliance: Carrying out inspections to ensure compliance with legal standards.

Required skills:

• Extensive scientific knowledge: in the fields of biology, chemistry, microbiology, and food engineering.
• Analytical and research skills: the ability to analyze data and conduct field and laboratory research.
• Technical capabilities: to use modern tools and techniques to monitor and ensure food safety.
• Project management skills: to plan, implement and manage food safety programs effectively.
• Communication skills: to transfer knowledge and interact with regulators, industry personnel, and the public.

Work fields:

• Food companies: Work in developing and implementing food safety systems and ensuring compliance with standards.
• Government Agencies: Work with food regulatory and public health agencies to develop policies and programs.
• Non-governmental organizations: Participate in awareness and education programs on food safety.
• Scientific research: Working in universities and research centers to conduct advanced studies on food safety.
• Education: Teaching food safety science and related subjects in schools and universities.

Importance of food safety:

• Protecting public health: It contributes to preventing foodborne diseases and protecting the health of consumers.
• Promoting confidence in food products: Ensures consumers that food products are safe to consume.
• Improving food quality: It contributes to improving the quality of food products by applying safety and quality standards.
• Supporting the economy: It contributes to improving production efficiency and reducing losses resulting from food contamination and diseases.

Food safety applications:

• Develop quality control systems: Establish effective systems to monitor food quality and safety at all stages of production.
• Awareness and Education: Educating food industry workers and the public about the importance of food safety and how to achieve it.
• Research and Development: Conduct research to improve our understanding of food contaminants and develop new technologies to ensure safety.
• Inspection and Monitoring: Implement periodic inspection programs to ensure compliance with food standards and regulations.

The specialty of Food Safety is one of the vital fields that contribute to improving the quality of life and protecting public health by ensuring that the foods we consume are safe and healthy, which makes it a field of great influence in the food industry and economic development.