What area of expertise focuses on the safest methods of handling, preparing, and storing food to avoid health hazards?

The correct area of expertise that focuses on the safest methods of handling, preparing, and storing food to avoid health hazards is food safety. This field encompasses a range of practices and guidelines designed to prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure that food is handled in a safe manner from production to consumption. It includes understanding proper sanitation techniques, cooking temperatures, cross-contamination prevention, and safe storage practices, all aimed at protecting public health.

In contrast, nutritional science primarily deals with the dietary aspects of food, including the nutrients found in what we eat and their impacts on health. Culinary arts focuses on the skills and techniques involved in cooking and preparing food, emphasizing flavor, presentation, and creativity. Dietary management relates to planning and managing individuals' diets, often in clinical settings, but it does not specifically address the broader safety protocols related to food handling and preparation. Therefore, food safety is the most relevant area when it comes to preventing health risks associated with food.