When food refers to the collective name of "food, food, food, nourishment", it is an uncountable noun.

Food refers to various finished products and raw materials for human consumption or drinking, as well as items that are both food and traditional Chinese medicinal materials according to tradition, but does not include items for therapeutic purposes. Food is defined as: substances available for human consumption or drinking, including processed foods, semi-finished products and unprocessed foods, excluding tobacco or substances used only for pharmaceutical purposes.

From the perspective of food hygiene legislation and management, the broad concept of food also involves: the raw materials of the food produced, the cultivation of food raw materials, the materials and environment in contact with during the breeding process, food additives, all direct or Packaging materials and facilities that indirectly come into contact with food and the environment that affects the original quality of food.

Function of food

Food has two main effects on the human body, namely nutritional function and sensory function. Some foods also have regulatory effects. Nutritional function of food: refers to the fact that food can provide nutrients and energy needed by the human body and meet the nutritional needs of the human body. It is the main function of food.

The sensory function of food: refers to the ability of food to meet people's different hobby requirements, that is, the requirements for food color, aroma, taste, shape and texture. Good sensory properties can stimulate the sense of taste and smell, excite taste buds, stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes and digestive juices, thus increasing appetite and stabilizing mood.