World Food Safety Day 2023

World Food safety day refers to the routine in the preparation, handling, and storage of food meant to prevent foodborne illness and injury. Food products from farm to factory to fork may encounter health hazards during their journey through the supply chain.

When is food safety day celebrated?

It is celebrated on 7 June every year to draw people’s attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food safety, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism, and sustainable development.

What does WHO say about food safety?

WHO (World Health Organization) emphasize that governments, food businesses, educational institutions, workplaces, and consumers have a part to play in food safety. And everyone should get involved by promoting food safety and practicing food safety education. Food companies should comply with food standards and food safety regulations and commitments.

In which year did it start?

The codex alimentarius commission at its 39th session, held in 2016, unanimously agreed to promote a proposal to proclaim a World Food Safety Day permanently within the framework of the United Nations.

History:

In  December 2018, the united nations approved the event’s annual celebration. On June 7, 2019, World Food Safety Day was celebrated for the first time. The first world food safety day theme was “Food Safety, Everyone’s Business”.

What are the objectives of World Food Safety Day?

• Raise awareness: The primary objective is to raise awareness about the significance of food safety in ensuring public health and well-being. People are unaware of the risks associated with unsafe food practices, and this day serves as an opportunity to educate individuals, communities, and governments about the importance of safe food storage and consumption.
• Promote food safety practices: Encourage the promotion and implementation of effective food safety measures at all stages of the food supply chain. This includes safe production, processing, storage, transportation, and preparation. By promoting Hygiene practices, we can achieve proper and safe food production.
• Strength of International Cooperation: To foster International cooperation among governments, organizations, and individuals to enhance food safety globally. It provides a good platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices in food safety across countries and regions.
• Support sustainable development: Food safety is closely linked to sustainable development goals, such as ensuring good health and well-being.

Why is Food Safety Day Important?

After the covid-19 pandemic, there has been a significant pressing need to secure health care. Strengthening immunity, preventing the spread of foodborne illness, and instilling healthy, hygienic behavior in agricultural areas, markets, and everywhere else where food is handled have never been so important.

According to recent data from World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 600 million – almost 1 in 10 people fall ill after eating contaminated food and 420000 die yearly, resulting in the loss of 33 million healthy lives. In low and middle-income countries, US$ 110 billion is lost yearly in productivity and medical expenses resulting from unsafe food. Children under 5 years carry 40% of the foodborne disease burden, with 125000 deaths annually. Therefore it is necessary to understand the seriousness of this issue and the importance of World Food Safety Day.

What are the initiatives taken by the world for World Food Safety Day?

Global Initiatives:

The Codex Alimentarius, or “Food Code” is a collection of standards, guidelines, and codes of practices adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Codex Alimentarius Commission is a joint intergovernmental body of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Currently, it has 189 members and India is a member.

Role Of India In Food Safety 

India’s initiative towards World Food Safety Day involves:

1) State Food Safety Day Index:

The Food Safety And Standard Authority Of India (FSSAI) has developed the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) to measure the performance of States on five parameters of food safety. The parameters include Human Resources and Institutional Arrangements, Compliance, Food Testing-Infrastructure and Surveillance, Training, and capacity building, and consumer Empowerment

2) Eat Right India Movement:

It is an initiative of the Government Of India and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to transform the country’s food system to ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable food for all Indians. Eat Right India is aligned with the National Health Policy 2017, focusing on preventive and promotive healthcare and flagship programs like Ayushman Bharat, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anemia Mukt Bharat, and Swachh Bharat Mission.

3) Eat Right Mela:

Organized by FSSAI, it is an outreach activity for citizens to nudge them towards eating right, It is scheduled to make citizens aware of the health and nutrition benefits of different types of food.

World Food Day activities for students

Students can do various activities and participate in this initiative. Some of them are:

1. Organizing quiz: This will help to increase awareness among people 
2. Launching campaigns: students can form unions and launch various campaigns regarding food safety day.
3. Creative posters: they can create and deliver their idea through social media.

Themes for the past few years

• 2023 – “Food Standards Save Lives”
• 2022 – “Safer Food, Better Health”
• 2021 –  “Safer Food Today For A Healthy Tomorrow”
• 2020 – “Food Safety, Everyone’s Business”
• 2019 – “Food Safety, Everyone’s Business”

World Food Safety Day 2023

The theme for this year, 2023 is “Food Standards Save Lives”.it aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism, and sustainable development. This international day is an opportunity to strengthen efforts to ensure food safety in the public agenda and rescue the burden of foodborne diseases.

How to Celebrate World Food Safety Day?

There are many ways through which we can celebrate this day. Some of them can hold an assembly discussing the essential aspects of the day, or we can engage people in different fun activities that develop learning. You can cook together in a group.

Conclusion

World Food Safety Day, celebrated on June 7 every year, is a great initiative to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks.

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