By 2050, there will be an estimated 10 billion people on earth that will require safe food and clean water.1 Access to nutritious food is recognized as a basic human right under the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights written by the United Nations, forming a crucial part of food security. Food safety and food security are intrinsically linked, and understanding their relationship is essential for ensuring both public health and sustainable food systems. Food safety refers to the practices and conditions that preserve the quality of food to prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses. Food security, on the other hand, encompasses the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food that meets people's dietary needs and preferences. The interplay among these concepts is fundamental to achieving a stable and healthy food supply.
In the wake of escalating concerns over climate change and its profound impact on global food safety and security, innovative solutions are imperative. Since 1850, the Earth's average temperature has risen by 2 °F, and the ten warmest years in the historical record have all occurred in the past decade (2014–2023), signifying that the earth is getting and staying hotter.2In the U.S. alone, there is an average of 70 foodborne illness outbreaks per month, with approximately two of them resulting in a food recall. As the temperature increases in summer, the number of outbreaks can exceed 100 per month, and the number of recall-related outbreaks goes up to six per month, increasing to 6 percent of all reported and investigated outbreaks nationwide. This signifies what to expect as global temperatures continue to climb.3