Discussing Food Sustainability on World Food Safety Day

07 Jun Discussing Food Sustainability on World Food Safety Day

Safer food and better health is the theme for this year’s World Food Safety Day which will be held on 7^th June 2022. The event this year will draw attention to and mobilize action to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks and improve human health.

Access to sufficient amounts of safe food is key to sustaining life and promoting good health. Foodborne illnesses are usually infectious or toxic in nature and often invisible to the plain eye, caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances entering the body through contaminated food or water. Food safety has a critical role in assuring that food stays safe at every stage of the food chain – from production to harvest, processing, storage, distribution, all the way to preparation and consumption.

With an estimated 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually, unsafe food is a threat to human health and economies, disproportionally affecting vulnerable and marginalized people, especially women and children, populations affected by conflict, and migrants. An estimated 420 000 people around the world die every year after eating contaminated food and children under 5 years of age carry 40% of the foodborne disease burden, with 125 000 deaths every year.

Food safety is key to achieving several of the Sustainable Development Goals and World Food Safety Day brings it into the spotlight, to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks. Safe food contributes to economic prosperity, boosting agriculture, market access, tourism, and sustainable development.

Food Sustainability

Our food comes from our countryside, rivers, and seas; keeping our soil, air, and water clean and fit for life is fundamental.  A reduction in the use of pesticides is very important for food production and agriculture. The use of pesticides should be closely regulated and the substances in them assessed for their impact on health and biodiversity.

Climate change too affects our ecosystems with consequences for food safety and nutrition. Early warnings about a range of risks emerging or increasing as a result of climate change – such as new plant pests, emerging biotoxins, and disease-causing pathogens – is essential to protect our food supply and our environment. Changes in temperature and humidity can also affect soil quality, with consequences for the nutritional content of crops.

Food chain safety is also affected by how humans treat animals, particularly food-producing animals. Stress factors and poor welfare can lead to increased susceptibility to disease among animals.

Good hygiene practices in the food and agricultural sectors help to reduce the emergence and spread of foodborne diseases. Food safety education helps consumers to make informed and healthy choices and push for a safer food supply.

How to Ensure Food Safety for all

1. Ensure it is safe: Existing Governments must ensure food is not only nutritious but safe for everyone.
2. Grow it safe: Safe food starts with good agriculture and production practices.
3. Keep it safe: Business operators need to ensure all food handling is conducted in a safe manner.
4. Know what’s safe: Education is key — consumers must learn what food is safe and healthy.
5. Team up for food safety: Collaboration means we all share in the efforts to make safe, healthy food a priority.