7 June 2023
WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY
NOBODY SHOULD DIE FROM EATING FOOD – WHO
“Every day, some 1.6 million people worldwide fall ill from eating contaminated food, which kills 420,000 people each year,” says the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of United Nations (UN), reports UN News on 6 June 2023.
“We tend to think about food safety only when we get sick, and we should think (about it) more often because foodborne diseases are entirely preventable. Safe food allows the uptake of nutrients and promotes human development. Nobody should die from eating food. These are preventable deaths,” says Dr. Maria Neira, WHO Assistant Director-General in a video message.
Food safety has a direct impact on our health and over 200 diseases, diarrhoea to cancers, are caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals, reports UN News.
“WHO has called for action from various sectors including policy makers, who are urged to establish robust national food safety systems that comply with established standards. Food businesses are encouraged to work with their employees, suppliers and other stakeholders to develop ‘a food safety culture’, while educational institutions and workplaces should promote safe food handling” UN News reports.
FAO has decided to launch a website to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in the food trade. Also it will help to adhere to international food hygiene standards.
WHO specifies Food Standards Guide for hygienic food handling, food safety practices, follow directions from International food safety and quality standard-setting body, Codex Alimentarius Commission or Codex and to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food trade.
The fifth World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is celebrated today to draw attention and inspire action to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agricultural production, market access, tourism and sustainable development.
