How does animal health relate to food safety?

The relationship between animal health and food safety is predominantly illustrated by the fact that healthy animals are less likely to transmit foodborne diseases. When animals are healthy, they possess better immune function and are less susceptible to infections that could potentially contaminate the food supply. For instance, if animals are kept in optimal health conditions, the risk of carrying pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli is significantly reduced, contributing to the overall safety of the food products derived from them.

Moreover, ensuring animal health through proper management practices, vaccinations, and nutrition directly influences the quality of food for human consumption. Healthy animals lead to safer meat, milk, and eggs, which are essential for mitigating foodborne illness risks. It highlights the critical role that animal welfare plays in the broader context of public health and food safety.

The other options fail to accurately represent the link between animal health and food safety. While taste can be influenced by health, it doesn't directly address safety. Claiming that animal health has no impact on food safety dismisses the significant research connecting animal welfare to public health outcomes. Additionally, focusing solely on meat quality neglects other food safety dimensions such as the risk of disease transmission from the animals.