What is a food safety management system?

A food safety management system is defined as a systematic approach to managing food safety risks. This involves implementing policies and procedures designed to ensure that food is safe to eat and is handled properly throughout its lifecycle, from purchasing and storage to preparation and service.

This approach typically includes identifying potential hazards, establishing critical control points, monitoring practices, and verifying that the food safety measures are effective. By focusing on systematically managing risks, a food safety management system helps to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensures compliance with health regulations and standards.

The correct choice reflects the comprehensive nature of food safety management, which goes beyond just cooking practices or record-keeping. Cooking guidelines are an element of food safety but do not encompass the overarching strategy needed to manage food safety risks. Keeping records may assist in compliance and tracking but is not the defining feature of a food safety management system. Lastly, while improving food sales is certainly a goal for many food service operations, it does not directly relate to the principles of food safety management.