AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Food security is having enough food to feed a population.
Full specification wording
Factors affecting food security: Food security is having enough food to feed a population.
Food security means that a population has enough food to meet its needs.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 9
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Food security means that a population has enough food to meet its needs. It is not simply whether food exists somewhere in the world, but whether people can reliably obtain sufficient safe, nutritious food. A country may have food available yet still experience insecurity if supply is disrupted, prices rise or distribution fails. A useful example is a region where a poor harvest raises prices so that some families cannot afford enough food even though shops still stock some items.
What earns the marks
- Food security means enough food is available to feed a population.
- Food security can be threatened by poor harvests, conflict, poverty or distribution problems.
- Food safety is different: it concerns food being safe to eat, not whether enough is available.
- A population can be food insecure even when some food is present if people cannot obtain it.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Defining food security as food being safe to eat.
Put it right: Food security is about having enough food, while food safety is about avoiding contamination.
Assuming food security means food is equally available to everyone.
Put it right: Access and distribution matter, so some groups may still lack enough food.
Confusing food security with food production alone.
Put it right: Production is one factor, but supply, affordability and distribution also affect security.
Exam tips
- Give a precise definition using the phrase enough food for a population.
- Contrast food security with food safety in one sentence to show clear understanding.
- Apply the definition to a short scenario, such as a poor harvest raising prices.
Try the lesson
The start of the Factors affecting food security: Food security is having enough food to feed a population. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What does the term food security mean?
Listen
Food security means that a population has enough food to meet its needs. It is not simply whether food exists somewhere in the world, but whether people can reliably obtain sufficient safe, nutritious food. A country may have food available yet still experience insecurity if supply is disrupted, prices rise or distribution fails. A useful example is a region where a poor harvest raises prices so that some families cannot afford enough food even though shops still stock some items. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Food security means enough food is available to feed a population. Food security can be threatened by poor harvests, conflict, poverty or distribution problems. Food safety is different: it concerns food being safe to eat, not whether enough is available. A population can be food insecure even when some food is present if people cannot obtain it. A common slip: Defining food security as food being safe to eat. Instead, food security is about having enough food, while food safety is about avoiding contamination. Exam tip: Give a precise definition using the phrase enough food for a population.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Food security
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Food safety
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Food security
- Having enough food to feed a population.
- Food safety
- Concerns food being safe to eat, not whether enough is available.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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