What is the goal of adhering to food safety protocols?

Adhering to food safety protocols primarily aims to ensure product freshness and customer safety. By following established procedures, employees minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses and contamination, which is vital in maintaining customer health and satisfaction. Additionally, strict adherence to these protocols helps in preserving the quality and freshness of the food served.

While reducing food waste is important and can be a byproduct of effective food safety measures, it is not the primary goal. Increasing menu variety may enhance customer experience but is unrelated to the core purpose of food safety, which focuses on health and safety standards. Complying with employee standards is also significant, but it serves a different purpose and doesn't directly address the safety and freshness of the food products served to customers. Therefore, the most accurate answer is that the goal is to ensure product freshness and customer safety.