The United Nations(UN)’s World Food Safety Day is annually observed across the globe on 7th June to create awareness about the importance of improving food safety.
The day also highlights and inspires the actions to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.
The annual observance of the World Food Safety Day is jointly led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The theme of World Food Safety Day 2022 is “Safer food, better health”. The 2022 theme highlights the vital role of safe, nutritional food in human health.
Slogan:
The World Food Safety Day 2022 is observed under the slogan “Food safety, everyone’s business”.
- This action-oriented campaign promotes global food safety awareness and calls the stakeholders, UN Organisations and the general public to take action.
Background:
i.On 20 December 2018, UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/73/250 and proclaimed the 7th June of every year as World Food Safety Day.
ii.World Health Assembly(WHA) adopted the resolution WHA73.5 on 3rd August 2020, to recognize World Food Safety Day as an important milestone and a platform for raising awareness at all levels about the importance of food safety.
Importance of Food Safety:
i.According to WHO, it is estimated that 600 million (1 in 10) people across the globe fall ill due to the consumption of contaminated food and around 420000 people die every year.
ii.In low- and middle-income countries, around USD 110 billion is annually lost in productivity and medical expenses resulting from unsafe food.
Food Safety & Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs):
Food safety is one of the vital parts to achieve several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger: Ending hunger is about people having access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being: Food safety has a direct impact on people’s health and nutritional intake.
- SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production: countries will move towards sustainable patterns of food production and consumption after they ensure that food is safe and of the expected quality throughout the food chain.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Food safety is a shared responsibility among governments, food industries, producers and consumers.
