World Food Safety Day is celebrated annually on 7 June to draw attention and mobilize action to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks and improve human health. Coordinated jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO), under the theme for this year’s World Food Safety Day, “Safer food, better health”, countries around the Pacific led various events and activities to mark the festivities.

In Fiji, the Ministry for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment coordinated a series of activities to celebrate the Day, including the organization of a speech contest with 10 local schools. The event was opened by Dr Mahendra Reddy, Hon Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment and featured a series of talks on a variety of topics, including food fraud, non-communicable diseases, pesticide residues and others.

In Samoa, the Day was co-led by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL), Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (MAF) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) with the support of FAO. A celebration was organized in Samoa’s capital, Apia. The event was opened by Mr Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, the Chief Executive Officer of MCIL. To spread the messages on the importance of food safety regulations and actions, a series of video interviews with key stakeholders in Samoa were circulated on TV and social media. A special trivia night around food safety facts was also held by a local TV station.