The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) observed World Food Safety Day in a plenary session on 12 June 2020 by watching a short video that they were part of producing. Several scientists, participating in the meeting on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) currently underway until 26 June, appeared in the video, explaining why we need scientists working on food safety and where in the food supply chain they intervene.

Members of the FAO and WHO JEMRA Secretariats provided background on what JEMRA does.

“FAO and WHO bring together the world’s leading experts to make recommendations based on sound science,” Satoko Murakami, WHO Technical Officer, says in the recording, referring to the joint scientific advice programme, of which JEMRA is part.

Jeffrey LeJeune, FAO Food Safety and Quality Officer, goes on to explain that the advice JEMRA provides helps governments reduce the risk of microbiological contaminants in your food. JEMRA is one of the expert bodies that provide scientific advice on food safety to the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Watch the video

Read more about JEMRA at FAO and WHO