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World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is observed on June 7 every year. In 2023, the fifth World Food Safety Day will be observed. 600 million people become ill annually due to the 200 varieties of diseases that can be transmitted through food. Youth and populations with limited resources are disproportionately affected. Every year, foodborne illnesses result in 420000 preventable fatalities.

This event aims to raise awareness about the significance of risk prevention, detection, and management through food safety practices and promote debates, solutions, and methods for enhancing human health, trade, agriculture, and sustainable development.

World Food Safety Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of food safety and advocate for preventative measures against infectious illness. By promoting safe food practices and recognizing the significance of food safety professionals, we can safeguard public health and ensure that all individuals have access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.

History of World Food Safety Day

The United Nations General Assembly instituted World Food Safety Day in December 2018, a relatively recent holiday. On June 7, 2019, the first World Food Safety Day was held. Since then, it has been held every year on that date.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) proposed establishing a day to promote awareness about the importance of food safety. Member states supported the proposal at the 71st World Health Assembly in May 2018, and the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to establish World Food Safety Day in December of the same year.

The decision to establish World Food Safety Day was prompted by the need to address the increasing global burden of infectious illnesses. WHO estimates that foodborne illnesses affect 600 million people annually, resulting in 420 thousand fatalities. The economic and social consequences of foodborne illnesses are also substantial, affecting, among other sectors, food security, trade, and tourism.

World Food Safety Day aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with infectious illnesses and the preventative measures that can be taken. Each year, the day focuses on a particular aspect of food safety, such as food safety during a crisis or the role of food safety in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. The day is also a chance to recognize the efforts of food safety professionals and promote safe culinary practices worldwide.

World Food Safety Day 2023

World Food Safety Day Theme 2023

Every year, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) picks a new World Food Safety Day theme. The topic poses an important issue and encourages world leaders to discuss it. “Food Standards Save Lives” is the World Food Safety Day theme for 2023. The first World Food Safety Day was observed on June 7, 2019. The United Nations established it in December 2018.

Significance of World Food Safety Day

World Food Safety Day is celebrated every year on June 7th to raise awareness about the importance of safe food practices. This day is significant as it highlights the need for safe and nutritious food for all, especially in developing countries where people are vulnerable to food-borne diseases.

Celebrating World Food Safety Day also serves as an opportunity to recognize the critical role that food safety plays in achieving food security, public health, and sustainable development. By focusing on food safety, we can promote health, reduce poverty, and improve the livelihoods of millions worldwide.

Moreover, World Food Safety Day underscores the global nature of food safety issues and the need for stakeholder collaboration. It calls for joint efforts by governments, international organizations, the private sector, and consumers to ensure that food safety standards are always met and maintained.

World Food Safety Day is a critical event that highlights the importance of food safety and the need to work together to achieve safe and nutritious food for all. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness, share knowledge and best practices, and promote collaborative actions to improve food safety worldwide.

How to Celebrate World Food Safety Day?

There are numerous ways to observe World Food Safety Day. Here are a few ideas:

1. Spread awareness – Share information about the importance of food safety with your friends and family. You can post online about it or talk to people face-to-face.
2. Practice good food safety habits – Ensure you are handling food properly in your home. Wash your hands before handling food, separate raw meats from other foods, cook foods to the appropriate temperature and store food at the proper temperature.
3. Participate in food safety events – Look for community events focusing on food safety. Attend workshops, seminars, or demonstrations to learn more about food safety.
4. Support local food safety initiatives – Donate to organizations that work to improve food safety in your community. You could also volunteer your time to help with food safety projects.
5. Share a meal with friends and family – Celebrate World Food Safety Day by hosting a potluck or cookout with family and friends. Make sure everyone knows how to handle and prepare the food safely.

No matter how you celebrate, the important thing is to spread awareness and make sure everyone is practicing safe food handling and preparation.

 Quotes

“Food safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play in ensuring the safety of our food supply.” – Margaret Chan.

“Many countries have food safety systems from farm to table. Everybody involved in the food supply is required to follow standard food safety procedures. You would think that everyone involved with food would not want people to get sick from it.” – Marion Nestle.

“Ensuring food safety is an essential element of our efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition.” – José Graziano da Silva.

“We may find in the long run that tinned food is a deadlier weapon than the machine gun.” – George Orwell.

“Safe and nutritious food is a fundamental human right.” – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Food safety is critical to the health and well-being of individuals and communities around the world.” – Neven Mimica.

“Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine is your food.” – Hippocrates.

“Food safety is not just an issue for food producers and regulators; it is a matter of public health and consumer confidence.” – Vytenis Andriukaitis.

“The food that enters the mind must be watched as closely as the food that enters the body.” – Pat Buchanan.

“Get people back into the kitchen and combat the trend toward processed food and fast food.” – Andrew Orwell

“Food safety involves everybody in the food chain.” – Mike Johanns

“Our minds are like our stomachs; they are whetted by the change of their food and variety supplies both with a fresh appetite.” – Quintilian

“We are going to do everything possible to make sure that food safety is always paramount and that we work with the industry as aggressively as we can to make sure that we are paying attention to food safety issues.” – Mike Johanns

“We must ensure that everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.” – Amina J. Mohammed

“Investing in food safety is investing in people’s health and well-being.” – José Manuel Barroso

“Food safety is a basic human right, and we must work together to ensure that it is upheld for all.” – Ertharin Cousin

Wishes

Wishing you a happy World Food Safety Day! Let’s work together to ensure the safety and quality of our food supply.

You must always ensure that your food is entirely safe and suitable for consumption. Wishing a very Happy World Food Safety Day to you.

On this World Food Safety Day, let’s renew our commitment to keeping our food safe and healthy for all.

The occasion of World Food Safety Day must be celebrated by making each and everyone aware of the threats involved with food that is not hygienic. Happy World Food Safety Day.

Happy World Food Safety Day to all! May we continue to strive for safer and more nutritious food for everyone.

Warmest wishes on World Food Safety Day! Let’s make sure our food supply is free from harmful contaminants.

Let’s celebrate World Food Safety Day by raising awareness and advocating for safer food practices worldwide.

Happy World Food Safety Day! Let’s prioritize the safety and quality of the food we eat for the good of our health and the planet.

On this World Food Safety Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate the hard work of food safety professionals who keep our food supply safe.

It is essential to eat the right food because food that is not fit for consumption can make us seriously ill. Wishing a very Happy World Food Safety Day to all.

If you love your family and friends, always be conscious about what you are serving them to avoid food-borne diseases. Happy World Food Safety Day.

May this World Food Safety Day remind us of the importance of safe and healthy food for all and inspire us to work towards this goal.

Happy World Food Safety Day! Let’s recognize the essential role that safe and nutritious food plays in our lives and strive for a better food future.

Eating from places that promise good hygiene levels and quality ingredients will always keep you on the safer side. Wishing a very Happy World Food Safety Day to you.

Warmest greetings on World Food Safety Day! Let’s commit to prioritizing food safety in all aspects of our lives.

World Food Safety Day Slogans 

• “Fresh food, safe food.”
• “Healthy food, happy life.”
• “Let’s unite for food safety.”
• “Food safety first, always, and forever!”
• “Safe food for a healthy world”
• “Keep food safe, keep illnesses away.”
• “Don’t compromise on food safety.”
• “From farm to fork, let’s ensure food safety.”
• “Eat clean, stay healthy.”
• “Food safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

Wrapping Up

World Food Safety Day 2023, with the theme “Food Standards Save Lives,” is an important day to raise awareness about the impact of unsafe food on people’s health and the economy. By prioritizing food safety and following science-based food standards, we can ensure safe and healthy food for everyone.

As the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) states, “There is no food security without food safety.” Let’s work together to make food safety a top priority.