World Food Safety Day
The world celebrates World Food Safety Day on the seventh of June every year. This day aims to promote awareness of the importance of food safety, and unite efforts to ensure safe and healthy food reaches consumers everywhere. Celebrated under the auspices of the food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), this day is an opportunity to highlight the challenges and opportunities related to food safety.
The importance of food safety
Public health
Food safety is one of the fundamental issues that directly affects public health. Food contamination can be a source of many dangerous diseases, including foodborne diseases such as food poisoning, bacterial and viral infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of people around the world suffer from foodborne diseases annually, which is a heavy burden on health systems and negatively affects economic productivity. Contaminated food can cause a wide range of diseases, from simple digestive disorders to serious conditions such as kidney failure or even death in some severe cases.
Disease prevention
Food contamination is one of the main causes of foodborne illness outbreaks. These diseases can be transmitted by eating food containing harmful bacteria, viruses or parasites.
Promoting public health
Providing safe and clean food contributes significantly to improving overall health. Safe food reduces the risk of diseases, reducing the need for emergency medical treatments and hospitalization. This contributes to reducing the pressure on healthcare systems, enabling these systems to provide better care to patients in need and reduce the health costs associated with the treatment of foodborne diseases.
Support the economy
Food safety has a huge impact on the economy. The safe food sector promotes trust between consumers and businesses, contributing to the stability of markets and supporting economic growth. When food is safe, there are more opportunities for export and international trade, which strengthens the national economy. Contaminated food can lead to significant economic losses, through the withdrawal of contaminated products from markets, loss of trust among consumers, and possible legal fines.
Food safety is a vital component in maintaining public health and promoting economic development. By preventing disease, promoting public health, and supporting the economy, food safety contributes to a healthy and prosperous society. It is therefore essential that efforts continue to improve food safety standards and promote awareness of their importance to ensure a safe and healthy future for all.
Sponsoring the World Food Safety Day
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
The food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations, which was established with the aim of eradicating hunger and achieving food security. FAO plays a pivotal role in the development of international policies and standards to ensure food safety. FAO works to promote sustainable farming practices and improve food production systems to ensure safe and healthy food for all.
FAO initiatives
– Codex Alimentarius: this codex aims to establish standards and guidelines to help ensure food safety and quality. These standards are regularly updated based on scientific research and new developments in the field of food safety.
– Technical cooperation: FAO provides technical support to member states to improve local food safety systems, through training programmes and educational workshops.
– Research and innovation: FAO promotes research and innovation in the fields of Agriculture and food production to ensure the provision of safe and healthy food.
World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the main health body of the United Nations, which aims to promote public health globally. WHO plays a leading role in the surveillance of foodborne diseases and the development of guidelines and policies aimed at their prevention and control.
World Food Safety Day
Cooperation with governments and institutions
In addition to the cooperation between FAO and who, the two organizations are promoting cooperation with governments, private and public institutions and civil society to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks. This collaboration includes:
– Providing technical support and consulting to governments to develop and update national legislation related to food safety.
– Encourage public-private partnerships to promote food safety practices at all stages of the food chain.
– Organizing training programs and workshops for professionals in the food sector to enhance their knowledge of food safety requirements and best practices.
The role of civil society
Civil society plays an important role in promoting food safety by:
– Organizing awareness campaigns to raise awareness among consumers about the importance of buying and preparing food safely.
– Contribute to the monitoring of food safety at the local level and report any irregularities or health problems related to food.
– Encourage community participation in local initiatives aimed at improving food safety practices.
World Food Safety Day is celebrated under the auspices of the food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which work together and with governments and various institutions to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks that ensure the production and distribution of safe and healthy food. Through international cooperation and the active participation of all concerned parties, we can achieve a safer and healthier future for all.
Objectives of the World Food Safety Day
Uniting global efforts to ensure food safety
World Food Safety Day aims to unite global efforts to ensure food safety across all stages of the food chain, from production to consumption. These efforts include:
– Applying the best agricultural and animal practices to ensure the production of clean and safe food.
– Compliance with hygiene and safety standards during processing, storage and transportation.
– Ensure that food reaches consumers in a safe and healthy condition.
Raising public awareness
Increasing public awareness of the dangers of food contamination and how to prevent them is a major goal of this day. Efforts in this area include:
– Launch media campaigns through traditional media and social media platforms to educate people about the importance of food safety.
– Provide educational programs in schools and communities to enhance individuals ‘ understanding of how to handle food safely.
– Developing educational materials such as brochures and brochures that explain good practices in food handling, such as hand washing, food preparation and storage properly.
Strengthening international cooperation
Encouraging cooperation between countries to exchange experiences and best practices in the field of food safety is a crucial element for achieving comprehensive food safety. This is done by:
– Organizing conferences and seminars that bring together experts from different countries to discuss challenges and solutions in the field of food safety.
– Establishment of cooperation partnerships between countries to exchange knowledge and experience, and improve national food safety systems.
– Work with organizations such as FAO and who to develop and implement international standards and policies to ensure food safety.
Improved policies and procedures
Pushing governments to adopt more stringent and effective policies to ensure food safety is a central goal. To achieve this, emphasis is placed on:
– Updating laws and regulations to include the latest international standards and best practices in food safety.
– **Strengthen control: * * apply strict control procedures at all stages of food production and distribution to ensure compliance with sanitary standards.
– Establish effective systems for investigating and responding quickly to food contamination cases to prevent disease outbreaks and protect consumers.
The objectives of the World Food Safety Day are to unite global efforts, raise awareness, promote international cooperation, improve policies and procedures, and support research and innovation. By achieving these goals, we can build a global food system that ensures that the food we eat is safe and healthy, contributing to improved public health and sustainable development.
The role of the “AHAD” Association on the World Food Safety Day
“AHAD” Association plays an important role in supporting the goals of the World Food Safety Day through a variety of initiatives and activities. The association was established with the aim of promoting awareness and knowledge about food safety, and providing technical and informational support to farmers, consumers, and regulatory bodies.
World Food Safety Day is an important event that allows everyone to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to food safety at the global level. Under the auspices of the food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), global efforts to ensure that the food we eat is safe and healthy are highlighted.
This day plays a vital role in promoting public awareness of the importance of food safety and encouraging cooperation between countries to exchange experiences and best practices. By improving policies and procedures, supporting research and innovations, we can achieve significant progress in the field of food safety, contributing to improving public health and promoting economic growth.
The “AHAD” Association contributes an active role in achieving these goals through its efforts in awareness and education, training and technical support, enhancing cooperation and partnerships, and supporting research and innovation. Through these initiatives, the association helps to build a safer and healthier diet, benefiting everyone.
You can visit the AHAD website to find out more about the projects it offers
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