World Food Safety Day Highlights Global Illness and Death Statistics

Kathmandu. Statistics have been released that approximately 600 million people worldwide fall ill every year due to contaminated food items. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 420,000 people die annually from foodborne illnesses.

In this context, World Food Safety Day is being celebrated today in various parts of the world with diverse programs to raise public awareness about the importance of safe food items. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in 2018 declaring June 7 as World Food Safety Day, and since 2019, this day has been celebrated worldwide. The promotion and coordination of the day are jointly carried out by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Access to adequate safe and nutritious food items is considered indispensable for human life, health, and overall well-being. Various foodborne illnesses spread due to bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemical substances entering the body through contaminated food or water. Since such risks are often invisible to the naked eye, food safety is considered an even more challenging issue.

According to the WHO, children under five years of age bear about 40 percent of the total burden of foodborne illnesses. Approximately 125,000 children die every year from such diseases. Foodborne illnesses are said to disproportionately affect women, children, conflict-affected communities, migrants, and other vulnerable groups.

According to experts, food safety is an issue related to the entire food chain from production to consumption. The risk of foodborne illnesses can be significantly reduced by adhering to safety standards at every stage of food item production, collection, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, preparation, and consumption.

On the occasion of this day, emphasis has been placed on linking food safety with effective regulatory systems, access to clean drinking water, good agricultural practices, food safety management systems, and consumer awareness. Experts say that safe food items can be ensured only through the joint efforts of the government, producers, businesses, scientists, civil society, and consumers.

This day, celebrated with the message 'Food safety is everyone's responsibility,' highlights the interrelationship between food safety, public health, agriculture, trade, tourism, and sustainable development, and calls on all parties to play an active role in ensuring safe food items.