What is the primary purpose of food regulation?

The primary purpose of food regulation focuses on ensuring the safety and quality of food products. This is essential because regulations are established to protect consumers from foodborne illnesses and harmful substances. They set standards for food processing and handling, ensuring that products are safe to consume and meet specific quality criteria.

By enforcing regulations, authorities aim to reduce the risks associated with food contamination, mislabeling, and use of unsafe ingredients. This framework fosters public confidence in the food supply, ensuring that the food people eat is safe, nutritious, and accurately represented on labels.

While other options may touch on aspects of food production and consumer experience, they do not directly address the fundamental role of regulation, which is rooted in health and safety standards. Lowering prices or improving taste, although beneficial, are not the primary objectives of food regulatory measures.