7th June is the World Food Safety Day 2025
Food safety must be everyone’s business
Ranjan K Baruah *
One of the most confusing and frustrating matters is when we see foods which are adulterated. Whenever we go to any vegetable shop or fruit shop we find that the food is not fresh. The irony is that in spite of knowing many of us can’t do anything and we are consuming foods which are in one way dangerous for all of us.
We are aware that unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances causes more than 200 diseases and one of the estimates indicates that the impact of unsafe food costs low- and middle-income economies around US$ 95 billion in lost productivity each year.
On the other hand good hygiene practices in the food and agricultural sectors help to reduce the emergence and spread of food borne diseases.
It is important for all of us to know the importance of food safety as it is directly linked with our health and life. We know that access to sufficient amounts of safe food is key to sustaining life and promoting good health.
Food safety has a critical role in assuring that food stays safe at every stage of the food chain - from production to harvest, processing, storage, distribution, all the way to preparation and consumption.
One of the global campaigns which focuses on food safety is the celebration of the World Food Safety Day (WFSD) on 7 June and the day aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agricul- ture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) jointly facilitate the observance of WFSD, in collaboration with Member States and other relevant organizations.
On 20 December 2018 the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 73/250 proclaiming a WFSD. As of 2019, every 7 June is a time to celebrate the myriad benefits of safe food. Food safety must be a shared responsibility between Govts, producers and consumers. Everybody has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food we consume is safe and will not damage our health.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body under the administration of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food articles, while also establishing standards to ensure food safety.
There is no doubt that food safety is a major determinant of health. It affects the survival, well-being, livelihood and productivity of individuals and eventually societies. Throughout the world, food borne diseases represent a considerable public health burden and challenge.
It’s time for all of us to be more vigilant and ensure food safety for all of us . Government agencies and research institutes have a major role to play and the media must act proactively in generating awareness on food safety.
Our positive intervention would help to ensure food safety. There must be strict regulations and the government must be proactive while taking action. We have to ensure food safety as this is related to our health and life.
Together we can bring a change and ensure food safety for all of us .
* Ranjan K Baruah wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on June 08 2024.
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