Since prehistoric times, the preservation of food has played an essential role in human survival—providing the stability and cultural traditions needed to create societies. This program looks at motivations and methods for preserving and processing food, how these take shape in various cultures, and the health considerations which present-day food suppliers and vendors must take into account. Viewers will learn about the properties of different foods, food policy and regulations, and the importance of hygiene standards, quality control, processing systems, and monitoring. Social, cultural, and religious meanings are examined. The video includes a case study involving milk production. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. (23 minutes)