World Food Safety Day is celebrated annually on June 7th. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of food safety and encourage action to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks. Here's a breakdown of its significance, history, theme, and typical activities:
Significance:
World Food Safety Day serves as a reminder of the need for safe, nutritious food for everyone.
Unsafe food can lead to various health problems, including foodborne illnesses, which can be particularly harmful to vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Ensuring food safety is essential for achieving food security, promoting public health, fostering economic development, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG Zero Hunger.
History:
World Food Safety Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018, recognizing that food safety is a shared responsibility.
The first World Food Safety Day was celebrated on June 7th, 2019, and it has since become an annual event.
Activities:
Events and activities to mark World Food Safety Day may include:
- Seminars, workshops, and conferences on food safety topics.
- Educational campaigns to raise awareness about safe food handling practices.
- Food safety demonstrations and training sessions for food handlers.
- Launches of new initiatives, policies, or technologies aimed at improving food safety.
- Media coverage and social media campaigns to spread messages about food safety.
- Collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, industry stakeholders, and consumers to promote food safety.
- Community events, such as food safety fairs or exhibitions, where people can learn about food safety in an interactive way.
These activities aim to engage stakeholders at all levels and empower individuals and communities to take action to ensure the safety of the food supply chain.
Overall, World Food Safety Day serves as a platform for raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and mobilizing action to prevent foodborne illnesses and promote food safety for all.
