World Food Safety Day is an annual event celebrated on June 7th to raise awareness about the importance of food safety and promote efforts to ensure that the food we eat is safe and nutritious. The day was first observed in 2019 after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2018 to establish the event.
The theme for the 2023 World Food Safety Day is “Food Standards Save Lives”. This theme highlights the crucial role of food standards in safeguarding public health, preventing foodborne illnesses, and ensuring the safety and quality of the food we consume.
Food safety is a crucial issue that affects everyone, from the producers of food to the consumers. Unsafe food can lead to foodborne illnesses, which can cause severe health problems and even death. According to the World Health Organisation, foodborne illnesses affect an estimated 600 million people worldwide each year, resulting in 420,000 deaths.
World Food Safety Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about food safety issues and promote best practises in food production, processing, and distribution. It also encourages individuals and organisations to take action to ensure that the food we consume is safe and nutritious.
To ensure food safety, it is essential to implement good hygiene practises, such as washing hands, keeping the kitchen and food storage areas clean, and cooking food thoroughly. Food producers and processors also need to follow strict standards and regulations to ensure that the food they produce is safe for consumption.
In conclusion, World Food Safety Day serves as a reminder of the critical role that food safety plays in promoting public health and sustainable agriculture. It is an opportunity for individuals, organisations, and governments around the world to take action to ensure that the food we eat is safe and nutritious. By promoting food safety, we can contribute to a healthier and more prosperous future for all.