The main purpose regarding food safety at national level is the availability of safe products by means of a food safety system based on the adequate coordination of risk assessment, its management, and communication. These points provide a system to establish effective measures or actions which are adequately proportioned, effective and specific to protect consumers' health.

In order to assure food safety, it is necessary to take into consideration every aspect in the food chain, and consider it as a continuum from primary production to the selling or supply of food to consumers, including the production of animal fodder, as every element may potentially influence food safety "from the farm to the table".

The Strategic Plan proposed for a national food safety system in Egypt arises from the need to face the new economic and social challenges of the XXI century and to establish a solid basis for consumer protection.
 
 
It involves every social sector through a working method where consensus, shared leadership, and cooperation among the agents implied should allow for the design of the strategies leading to the best possible future as far as national food safety is concerned.

The main guidelines proposed for a national food safety system are as follows:
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Protecting public health by minimising the hazard of foodborne illnesses.
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Protecting consumers from unsafe, unhealthy, mislabelled or adulterated products.
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Contributing to economic development by keeping consumers' confidence in the food system and by establishing a solid regulatory basis for local and foreign food trade.
Introduction