On 5 June, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica (MEIC), joined the celebration of World Food Safety Day, in a high-level event with political, technical and industry-level decision makers from across the country.

The following day, 6 June, the building of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce of Costa Rica was lit up in orange to mark not only World Food Safety Day, but also the 60th anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) “as a visual symbol that evokes hope and optimism; in order to highlight its importance in the world”. The illumination will continue throughout the month and on 25 June, the date marking the exact anniversary on which CAC first met, other buildings in different parts of the country will be illuminated.

The Social Protection Board of Costa Rica also had food safety information printed on national lottery tickets on 6 June and on 11 June.

The Costa Rican Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce also produced a World Food Safety Day video, in which it “recognizes the importance of food standards because they constitute the basis of trust for all consumers. Food standards are a way to ensure the safety and quality of food. These standards are those developed by the Codex Alimentarius”.  The video, presented by Ms Patricia Rojas Morales, Vice Minister of Economy, Industry and Commerce, was posted across the Ministry’s social media platforms.

Additionally, Costa Rica's National Codex Committee works with stakeholders from all along the food supply chain, including supermarkets, and was pleased to distribute a World Food Safety Day video made by Auto Mercado supermarkets that explains how food standards are applied in their sector.

Watch the Auto Mercado video

Watch the Vice-Minister’s video

Watch the illumination of the MEIC building
Watch the presentation of the lottery tickets

Photo © MEIC