World Food Safety Day 2024, Theme, History & Significance

World Food Safety Day, observed annually on 7th June, is a global awareness event aimed at empowering individuals to recognize, prevent, and manage food-related risks. This day is commemorated to reduce the global burden of foodborne illnesses and highlight the fundamental necessity of food safety for all living beings.

Food and shelter are the most basic human needs, and ensuring a basic quality of life relies heavily on access to safe food, clean air, water, and adequate clothing. World Food Safety Day aims to educate people worldwide about the significance of food safety, promoting better health, agriculture, food security, and economic prosperity.

Food safety is crucial at every stage of the food chain, from production and harvesting to processing, storage, distribution, preparation, and consumption. It is a scientific discipline that ensures food remains safe for consumption at all times, preventing foodborne illnesses. Food safety is a shared responsibility among governments, producers, and consumers, with each stakeholder playing a vital role in maintaining the safety of the food we consume.

Through World Food Safety Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues its efforts to mainstream food safety practices across governments and mitigate the global burden of foodborne diseases. This annual observance serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to prioritize food safety and its far-reaching impacts on public health, agriculture, and economic well-being.

World Food Safety Day 2024: Theme

The theme for World Food Safety Day 2024 is ‘Food safety: prepare for the unexpected,’ highlighting the significance and benefits of safe food practices as a critical determinant of good health. Observed on June 7th, this day aims to raise awareness about the necessity of consuming safe and wholesome foods. The primary objective is to educate the public on the importance of food safety, as it is instrumental in ensuring human health and well-being.

Alarmingly, foodborne illnesses affect approximately 600 million people worldwide each year, with children under the age of five being particularly vulnerable. Impoverished regions face a heightened risk of contracting infections due to the consumption of contaminated or unsafe food. World Food Safety Day 2024 serves as a global platform to address these pressing concerns and promote preventive measures to safeguard public health from foodborne diseases.

Important Days in June 2024: List of National & International Days

World Food Safety Day 2024: History

• The United Nations (UN) has assigned the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to spearhead global food safety initiatives.
• Since June 7, 2019, the WHO has partnered with the FAO to observe the inaugural World Food Safety Day.
• On December 20, 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to recognize June 7 as a day to “celebrate the numerous benefits of safe food.”
• On August 3, 2020, the World Health Assembly (WHA) passed a resolution to designate June 7 as World Food Safety Day annually.
• The UN General Assembly officially established World Food Safety Day in December 2018.

World Food Safety Day 2024: Significance

Food safety is an imperative concern as it is crucial to maintain the safety and integrity of food at every stage, from cultivation and harvesting to processing, storage, distribution, and consumption. Annually, thousands of people fall ill or lose their lives due to the consumption of food contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, or chemical substances. Consequently, World Food Safety Day is commemorated to catalyze actions that ensure food safety and alleviate the global burden of foodborne illnesses.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, safeguarding public health has become an unprecedented priority. Strengthening immunity, preventing the spread of foodborne diseases, and inculcating hygienic practices in agricultural sectors, markets, and all areas where food is handled have assumed paramount importance. This global health crisis has underscored the urgency of prioritizing food safety measures to protect populations worldwide from the detrimental impacts of contaminated food.