On June 7th, World Food Safety Day sheds light on a pressing issue: every day, approximately 1.6 million people worldwide suffer from illnesses caused by consuming unsafe food, resulting in a staggering 420,000 annual deaths, according to the United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
This year’s focus revolves around the significance of established food safety practices and standards in ensuring the safety of our food. Dr. Maria Neira, Assistant Director-General of WHO, emphasizes the direct impact of food safety on our health. Consuming contaminated food can lead to over 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers, caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals.
Dr. Neira stresses, “We often think about food safety only when we fall ill, but we should prioritize it more as foodborne diseases are entirely preventable.” She highlights that safe food not only enables the absorption of nutrients but also promotes human development. Dr. Neira firmly believes that nobody should lose their life due to food consumption when such deaths can be prevented.
In response, WHO calls for action across various sectors, urging policymakers to establish robust national food safety systems that adhere to established standards. It also encourages food businesses to cultivate a “food safety culture” among employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Educational institutions and workplaces are advised to promote safe food handling practices.
Consumers also play a vital role in ensuring food safety. Simple measures like practicing safe food handling at home and following WHO recommendations, such as thorough handwashing before meal preparation and using separate utensils for raw foods, are crucial steps in safeguarding against foodborne illnesses.
Additionally, FAO is launching a dedicated website, dubbed a “toolbox,” to assist the food sector in adhering to international food hygiene standards. This comprehensive resource aims to safeguard consumer health and foster equitable practices in the food trade. Notably, the website is designed to be accessible via handheld mobile devices, making it particularly accessible to small businesses and farmers in developing countries where such devices are more prevalent than traditional computers.
The website provides guidance on personal hygiene, including educating visitors entering food production sites, appropriate handwashing procedures, and suggestions for suitable attire. Developed and reviewed in collaboration with FAO Food Safety Officers and a team from the Department of Food Science at the University of Guelph in Canada, the website will continue to evolve based on user feedback, with potential expansions to encompass other sectors of the agrifood system, such as fisheries, as per FAO’s plans.
World Food Safety Day serves as a critical reminder that preventing foodborne diseases and ensuring the safety of our food supply are paramount to global health and well-being.
