The aim of the study was to present what impacts and to what extent have the food incidents that involve risks associated with a lack of food safety and further publicized by the media so-called food scares or food scandals. The analysis was conducted on the basis of available national and international scientific and industry literature and reports that cover this topic. In the study economic, health, social and legislative impacts of food scares were presented. Current efforts to ensure the effective protection of consumers in terms of food safety, both including its health and economic aspects, are intended to prevent impacts that accompany with food scares.