Everyone has the right to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. Still today, almost one in ten people in the world fall ill after eating contaminated food. When food is not safe, children cannot learn, adults cannot work, and human development cannot take place. Safe food is critical to promoting health and ending hunger, two of the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This year, to raise awareness and inspire action for safer food in Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), World Food Programme (WFP), Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAfrica), and the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) are jointly organizing virtual World Food Safety Day (WFSD) events, in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, on 8 & 10 June 2020. Considering the ongoing challenges of climate change, global food production and supply systems, twinned with the COVID-19 pandemic, food safety must become a priority issue for everyone.

DAY 1: FOOD SAFETY IN BUSINESSES

Monday, 8 June 2020, 10:00 – 12:30 (GMT)

The first day of the WFSD celebrations in Africa will focus on the roles of stakeholders along the food supply chain and share experiences from the perspective of food business operators and consumers in preserving the integrity of the food supply chain during COVID-19. There will be a panel discussion with multidisciplinary experts, food business operators, and consumers.

DAY 2: FOOD SAFETY IN GOVERNANCE

Wednesday, 10 June 2020, 13:00 – 15:00 (GMT)

The second day of WFSD celebrations in Africa will focus on the role of governments in ensuring safe and nutritious foods during COVID-19. Country experiences and lessons learned on maintaining national food safety systems and ensuring safe and nutritious food supply during COVID-19 will be shared by panelists from different government agencies in the region.

JOURNALISTS AND EDITORS:

You are invited to attend the World Food Safety Day celebration presided by Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa (Day 1), and Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director for the WHO Regional Office for Africa (Day 2). If you wish to attend, please join through the following links

• Day 1: Food Safety in Businesses (8 June 2020)
• Day 2: Food Safety in Governance (10 June 2020)