In 2018, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 7 to be observed as World Food Safety Day. In 2020, the World Health Assembly further passed a resolution to strengthen global efforts for food safety to reduce the burden of foodborne disease. It is to draw attention towards foodborne risks. Humans depend on food and air for their existence on earth, as food provides all the essential nutrients, carbohydrates, fats, and protein in our bodies to sustain growth.
Theme: World Food Safety Day 2021
‘Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow’ – it focuses on the production and consumption of safe food with immediate and long-term benefits for people, the planet and the economy.
World Food Safety aims at:
• Ensures food safety & preventing ailments through food
• Collaborative approaches to enhanced food safety
• Support programs to better manage and contain the diseases
Data shows that around 600 million people each year fall prey to such types of foodborne diseases; and among which children (below 5 years) and poverty-stricken sections are more prone to illnesses due to unhygienic food consumption.
Steps to attain safe food habits:
• Raw food must be washed thoroughly before use
• Food must be cooked thoroughly to avoid any diseases
• Raw and cooked food must be kept separately
• Food should be stored at safe temperatures
• Use of clean water for cooking must be promoted