Food safety is the need for people to have food that is free of contamination. On the other hand, food security is the necessity for people to have access to food.

Who has access to safe, nutritious food depends largely on their geographical location and financial means. For some, obtaining food is as simple as opening their refrigerator door or walking to a nearby store. For too many, however, safe, nutritious food is not available. Those people may live in a food desert or experience poverty, conflict, or famine conditions. Countless scientists, activists, and nonprofit organizations are working to address this fundamental inequality. Underlining its significance, the United Nations has elevated the issue to the second of 17 Sustainable Development Goals, “Zero Hunger.”