World Food Safety Day: Collective Responsibility and Innovation as Key Points

The FAO and the World Health Organization confirmed on Monday Collective responsibility and the role of science and innovation in food safety food, From the field to the table.

Representatives of both UN entities participated in the virtual conference organized with the Codex Alimentarius Commission to celebrate World Food Safety Day, under the theme “Safe Food Now for a Healthy Tomorrow”.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, noted the need to “work together to transform agricultural food systems for better production, nutrition, environment and life”.

Food security is essential to achieving more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems That provides healthy food for everyone, everywhere, he said.

Highlighting the contribution of healthy food to a safe life and a healthy future, Qatar University indicated that FAO is working closely with members and partners to develop innovative, comprehensive and feasible solutions in the food chain.

For his part, Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that “in these difficult times we have a collective responsibility to ensure nutritious, safe and healthy food,” adding that “no one should die from eating.”

To the role of science and innovation in making greater progress every day towards a healthy and nutritious diet, Presentations were made by FAO Lead Scientists, Asmahan Al-Wafi, and WHO, Soumya Swaminathan.

In December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly approved the observance of the annual World Food Safety Day to raise awareness of the urgent need to promote and facilitate science-based decisions in this regard.

FAO ensures food safety at all stages of the chain while WHO controls the public health implications of food safety, issues on which they have collaborated for a long time.

(with information from PL)