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A range of events, speeches, and webinars took place this past week to mark World Food Safety Day. Below, Food Safety News summarizes the best bits to mark the occasion. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every day, 1.

6 million people, on average, get sick due to the consumption of unsafe food. The theme for World Food Safety Day on June 7 was “Prepare for the Unexpected.” It also coincided with the 20th anniversary of the FAO and WHO International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN).



“Food safety hazards know no borders. In our interconnected, global food supply, risks from unsafe food can quickly escalate from local issues to international emergencies,” said Francesco Branca, director of the WHO Department of Nutrition and Food Safety. “The theme emphasizes the importance of readiness in managing food safety incidents to prevent them from becoming emergencies.

It highlights the need for careful planning, preparation, and swift action in emergencies. Humanitarian crises in many parts of the world, such as the Gaza Strip, Ukraine, and Sudan, drive food insecurity and compromise food safety. Our global food system is only as strong as its weakest link.

” Regional perspective The Southeast Asia region has the second-highest health burden due to the consumption of contaminated food, with an estimated 150 million illnesses and 175,000 deaths annually. Saima Wazed, WHO regional director for Southeast Asia, said everyone was a risk manager. “We al.

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