FAO, WHO and Ministry of Agriculture took the WFSD opportunity to express together appreciation to everyone who contributes to ensuring the safety of food, especially in light of the challenges the world is facing because of globalization and open markets, in addition to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. They celebrated the WFSD by undertaking a media campaign through the development of a brief on WFSD, a joint press release, an infographic with the five messages of the campaign and twitter [...]

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) observed World Food Safety Day in a plenary session on 12 June 2020 by watching a short video that they were part of producing. Several scientists, participating in the meeting on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) currently underway until 26 June, appeared in the video, explaining why we need scientists working on food safety and where in the food supply chain they intervene. Members of the FAO and WHO JEMRA Secretariats provided background on what [...]

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection joined forces with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism to celebrate World Food Safety Day in Colombia. In the week of 1-5 June 2020, a webinar series was developed within the framework of the Codex Alimentarius to focus attention on key public health issues that affect the population under the slogan "Food Safety, everyone's business." The webinars addressed topics related to good agricultural practices and their contribution to food safety and quality. They [...]

How has COVID-19 affected food safety? What food safety measures should be taken when ordering take out or delivery?  These were some of the questions that were addressed during a Twitter chat organized by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) with the participation of the Codex Secretariat on Thursday 11 June.   More than 50 participants attended the online conversation and shared their views on food safety and COVID-19 with over 2 million users, informing them of the good food safety practices that [...]

“On June 7 we celebrate World Food Safety Day, because every person has a right to safe food for a nutritious and healthy diet. However, each year, 91 million people in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from acute food-borne illness and 137,000 sadly lose their lives.” These were the opening words of the video message WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, recorded for World Food Safety Day. Watch the video.  

By Luz Brenda P. Balibrea Coconut oil, desiccated coconut, coconut water, coconut milk, coconut sap sugar and refined glycerin are among the coconut food products that are continuously making a big wave in the international market. As demand for natural food products is expanding, ensuring food safety is very important. Thus, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), being the primary agency mandated to promote the integrated development and growth of the coconut and other palm oil industry in the Philippines in all [...]

Ruth Richardson, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food and Francesco Branca, WHO Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety take the opportunity of the World Food Safety Day to explain the urgent need for a radical change in our current food systems and the challenges to ensure a safe, resilient, sustainable and equitable future of food. They underline the need to take an integrated and inclusive approach to food, food safety, environment, trade, [...]

FAO Armenia is closely collaborating with the Food Safety Inspectorate of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, which implements assessment of food products conformity with the applicable standards, regulates the administration of veterinary and sanitary services, as well as ensures control and imposes sanctions acting on behalf of the Republic of Armenia. To celebrate the World Food Safety Day (WFSD) this year, the Head of the Food Safety Inspection Body Mr Georgi Avetisyan delivered a video speech, congratulating everyone on [...]

In the context of World Food Safety Day celebrations in Angola, FAO - together with WHO, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women Empowerment - launched an awareness campaign about food safety. Messages focused on the need for salespeople to apply good hygiene practices and handle food with clean hands, as well as the need to display products on clean surfaces. Consumers, on the other hand, are advised to wash their food well [...]

Science and Codex guidelines help food businesses By Leon Gorris, Secretary of the International Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods (ICMSF) Ensuring food safety is a public health priority and an essential step to achieving food security. While we are celebrating World Food Safety Day on 7 June 2020, we remind ourselves that food safety is everyone’s business. We all play a role, e.g. food growers, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers. Around the globe about 7 Million people have been infected by the coronavirus disease: [...]