Food safety is an important issue in most developed countries. Preserved foods can be plagued by a number of bacterial agents, including salmonella. Scientists study salmonella cells in a laboratory setting to help create manufacturing methods that will protect food sources against contamination. A growth medium is needed to support bacterial life in a lab setting. The growth medium of choice when working with salmonella is buffered peptone water. Although it is considered a stable and relatively safe substance, buffered peptone water should be handled with care.