What can result from not adhering to food safety practices?

Not adhering to food safety practices directly leads to an increased risk of foodborne illness. When proper food handling procedures are not followed—such as inadequate cooking temperatures, cross-contamination, poor hygiene, and improper storage—harmful pathogens can proliferate in food. This can cause serious health issues for consumers, ranging from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to more severe illnesses and even death in vulnerable populations.

In contrast, improving food quality, lowering costs, or reducing regulatory oversight are not typically outcomes of neglecting food safety. Improved food quality generally results from maintaining high safety and hygiene standards, while lowering costs should never compromise safety practices. Regulatory oversight is often increased in response to food safety violations, not decreased.