There are few statistics on the burden of foodborne disease in Bangladesh, according to the FAO-implemented programme, “Improving food safety in Bangladesh.” But what we do know is that unsafe food is a widespread and pervasive issue in the country, with diarrhoeal diseases, enteric fever and hepatitis presenting as the most prevalent foodborne diseases. So, the UN’s designation of a World Food Safety Day, to be celebrated annually on 7 June, was a clear signal to Bangladeshi food safety activists [...]

A team in Burkina Faso dedicated to organizing activities for World Food Safety Day, met in Ouagadougou on 7 May 2021 to set out a plan for the 7 June celebration and the key messages to disseminate nationally. Some of the major food safety concerns in the country include the misuse of pesticides in agriculture on fruits, vegetables and cereals and the use of veterinary drugs. Sales of street food without adequate food safety checks are also on the rise, as [...]

The Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Azerbaijan, has launched a series of awareness-raising events in recognition of World Food Safety Day this year. The planned activities include the production of a poster that is being strategically placed in the premises of businesses involved in the food chain, whether they are food producers or processors, restaurants or shops. In line with the World Food Safety Day slogan, “Food safety [...]

At the end of April, the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) hosted three webinars as part of preparations for World Food Safety Day, which will take place on 7 June this year. The webinars served as an introduction to and overview of the 2021 campaign, with a presentation by Chile’s agency for food safety and quality (ACHIPIA) about the events they will hold this year. Members had an opportunity to talk about their experiences from last year’s celebrations and start [...]

Kenya is in high gear in preparation for the World Food Safety Day celebrations as the national WFSD2021 planning committee meets for the third time. In the discussions, the line-up of activities include: Pre-event activities, such as digital and social media campaigns, print media campaigns as well as TV and radio awareness programmes. During the event activities, which will include live virtual forums, newspaper supplement, live Twitter chats and live streaming on various social media platforms to discuss various food safety concerns. Post-event [...]

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Codex Alimentarius Commission Secretariat gathered online for a conversation that centred on public-private partnerships, a form of collaboration that is essential to securing food safety globally. Erica Sheward, GFSI Director, set the stage for the 11 March 2021 webinar called “How the Public and Private Sectors are Teaming Up for Safe Food for a Healthy Tomorrow” by explaining [...]

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is hosting a special, one-off event on the role of public-private partnerships in securing food safety globally, in light of the coming edition of World Food Safety Day. Over the course of the 60-minute webinar, speakers will show how the public and the private sector are teaming up to reinforce capacities for a healthy tomorrow and talk about the importance of World Food Safety Day (7 June 2021). Register today and get involved in the conversation on: Exploring food safety worldwide [...]

With remarkable speed the Polish Agricultural and Food Quality Inspectorate has already launched its awareness raising campaign as the world gears up for the 2021 World Food Safety Day on 7 June. Writing on their official website and on social media following the launch of the campaign on 18 February 2021, Poland encourages all its citizens to follow the events surrounding the UN Day and engage with others to celebrate “safe food now for a healthy tomorrow”, the theme of this [...]

A newscast broadcast on 18 February on the Codex Twitter channel and on the FAO LinkedIn and YouTube channels, launched the World Food Safety Day 2021 campaign under the theme “Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow”. This day which is gaining global momentum as it approaches its third anniversary calls on governments, all those who work with food, and consumers to take action. Ensure it’s safe - Governments must ensure safe and nutritious food for all Grow it safe - Agriculture and [...]

On 18 February 2021 at 15:00 CET the World Food Safety Day campaign for 2021 will be launched with the announcement of the theme for this year’s celebration. A newscast including contributions from FAO, WHO, the secretariats of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the International Food Safety Authorities Network, plus guests from around the world will discuss why food safety is everyone’s business and set the scene for the third occurrence of this International Day on 7 June 2021. The newscast [...]