World Food Safety Day 2024: Theme, History, Significance, Facts and More

World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is celebrated annually on June 7. Established by the United Nations, this day underscores the importance of food safety and the collective responsibility to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne hazards. Observed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with Member States and relevant organizations, WFSD aims to ensure food security and promote health worldwide.

The primary goal of World Food Safety Day is to raise awareness about the risks associated with contaminated food and the importance of effective food safety measures. These activities are crucial in preventing foodborne diseases, which can have severe health consequences, especially in vulnerable populations. WFSD also highlights the challenges in ensuring food safety, such as lack of access to safe food, poverty, and conflict. It is a reminder that food safety is a fundamental human right, and everyone deserves access to safe and nutritious food.

World Food Safety Day 2024: Theme

The theme for World Food Safety Day 2024 is “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected,” highlighting the importance of safe food practices in maintaining good health. It focuses on the necessity of consuming safe and wholesome foods and educating the public about the critical role of food safety in human health and well-being.

Foodborne diseases affect approximately 600 million people globally each year, with children under five being particularly vulnerable. Impoverished regions are at higher risk due to the prevalence of contaminated or unsafe food. WFSD 2024 aims to address these urgent issues and promote preventive measures to protect public health from foodborne diseases.

History of World Food Safety Day

The United Nations General Assembly declared June 7 World Food Safety Day on December 20, 2018. This resolution highlights the numerous benefits of safe food. Later, on August 3, 2020, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution addressing global food safety issues and the necessary actions to tackle them. The objective of WFSD is to prevent foodborne diseases at local, national, regional, and international levels, thereby strengthening global efforts towards ensuring food safety.

Significance of World Food Safety Day

World Food Safety Day was established to raise awareness about the significance of food safety and to encourage actions that prevent foodborne diseases. The day shows the need for safe food to promote human health and protect the environment. WFSD aims to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases by enhancing global efforts and promoting the importance of food safety measures.

Each year, WFSD serves as a platform to test and analyze various foods to ensure their safety for consumption. It also provides an opportunity to educate consumers about food safety practices and encourage them to take precautions to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Key Facts About World Food Safety Day

1. Global Impact: According to WHO, 1 in 10 people worldwide suffer from foodborne diseases annually, with an estimated 600 million cases each year.

2. Vulnerable Populations: UN data reveals that foodborne diseases result in 420,000 deaths annually, with children under five accounting for 125,000 of these deaths.

3. Economic Costs: A 2019 World Bank report indicates that foodborne diseases lead to approximately $95.2 billion in lost productivity each year in low- and middle-income countries, along with $15 billion in annual healthcare costs.

4. Diverse Pathogens: WHO states that unsafe food containing bacteria, viruses, and parasites causes over 200 diseases. Proper hygiene, handling, storage, and processing practices are essential to prevent these illnesses.

5. Socioeconomic Development: Foodborne diseases hinder socioeconomic development by straining healthcare systems and harming national economies, tourism, and trade.

6. Comprehensive Safety Measures: Ensuring food safety involves meticulous practices at every stage, including harvesting, processing, storage, distribution, preparation, and consumption.

World Food Safety Day is about the importance of food safety in ensuring global health and well-being.