World Food Safety Day was celebrated in a high-level event in Suva, Fiji on 7 June. Officials from the government and international organizations gave speeches in the morning, which were followed by two competitions.

The Chief Health Inspector of Fiji, Vimal Deo, opened proceedings, offering welcome remarks and an introduction to the day’s events. He then handed over to two chief guests, the Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Vatimi Rayalu, and the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon. Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, who “expressed gratitude to the partners involved in raising food safety awareness and urged stakeholders, regulatory bodies, government agencies, and consumers to collaborate in enforcing robust food standards.”

A video message from Hilde Kruse Senior Food Standards Officer at the Secretariat of Codex Alimentarius Commission was played out and the European Union Representative, Michal Krejza, also spoke.

These speeches were then followed by an “Introduction of Social Behaviour Change (SBC) Advocacy Material” from Ateca Kama, Manager of Food and Nutrition Security of Fiji's National Food and Nutrition Centre (NFNC) and the launch of the SBC advocacy materials, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF. The UNICEF representative in Fiji, Jonathan Veitch then gave a presentation concerning the nutritional standard of childhood diets across Fiji.

Then followed an oratory competition, which included contributions from students from ten different schools across Fiji, and the judging of four videos that had been selected for competition.

The prize-giving took place after lunch, followed by closing remarks from the NFNC Manager.

Photo © Ministry of Agriculture of Fiji