June 7th is recognized as world food safety day by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). June 7th 2018 was proclaimed the first annual World Food Safety Day by the United Nations General assembly.
This day highlights the importance of food safety and provides a general understanding of what food safety is. We are all consumers, we all eat, we all want and deserve to consume food that does not make us sick. Unfortunately, for one in ten people in this world that is not a their reality. Annually, more than 95 000 people lose their lives as a result of gastrointestinal and diarrhoeal diseases and more than 200 million become ill due to consumption of unsafe foods. The serious health threats brought on by unsafe foods can endanger the global population especially those in marginalized communities. We must also ensure that those most vulnerable to these threats i.e., the elderly, immuno-compromised, young children and pregnant women are protected. Food should not be the cause of illness or loss of life but to sustain it.
With so many still losing their lives around the world, World Food Safety Day aims to spread awareness in the fight against foodborne illness. Highlighting actions to aid in the detection, prevention and management of food safety risks. By focusing on health and safe food and promoting food safety education we can improve food safety culture. This means improved food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, accessibility and sustainable development. For countries in the Caribbean who struggle with food insecurity, public health burdens and reduced resources, food safety is fundamental. It is important to recognize that the health of people, animals and the environment is interconnected and that any safety adverse event may have a global impact on public health, trade and economy. Food safety is nonnegotiable.
“Safer food, better health“ is the theme for this 4th annual World Food Safety Day. Safe nutritional food is paramount in ensuring human health and wellness. Foodborne illnesses, caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites, are infectious and toxic. They can enter the body through contaminated food and water. It is, therefore, important to ensure that food stays safe at every step of the food chain, from production to consumption. We all have a role to play; whether we grow, process, transport, store, sell, buy, prepare or serve food. Food safety is in all our hands.
Food safety is from farm to the table and is an essential tool to promote consumer health and end world hunger. This international day is an opportunity to engage with families and promote food safety policies and standards, ensuring we are all informed and practice safe food handling at home. This is where food safety culture begins. Through education and information we can strengthen the efforts to reduce the risk of foodborne diseases and ensure safe food. Foodborne diseases are preventable, systemic changes will lead to safer food for all.
Food handlers and consumers can:
- Know the food they use (read labels on food packages, make informed choices, become familiar with common food hazards)
- Handle and prepare food safely, practicing the WHO Five Keys to Safer Food at home, or when selling at restaurants or at local markets
- Grow fruits and vegetables using the WHO Five Keys to Growing Safer Fruits and Vegetables to decrease microbial contamination
- Make safe and healthy dietary choices, this supports sustainable food systems and helps reduce the global burden of disease
Happy World Food Safety Day!!! Share with a friend and help to improve food safety today.
Find out more about food safety below:
https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-food-safety-day-2022
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-food-safety-day/2022/overview
https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1412950/retrieve
References
https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1412950/retrieve
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