To open the week leading up to World Food Safety Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the International Regional Organisation for Animal and Plant Health (OIRSA) and the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (CCLAC) organized a two-day webinar to discuss the impact of food contaminants, traceability systems and best agricultural practices on food safety. Attendance figures were high [...]

The Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AFSA), together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Azerbaijan, continues its series of promotional events, following its initial awareness-raising initiative in food outlets across the country. As part of the ongoing efforts, Azerbaijani officials recorded a series of video addresses. AFSA Chairman, Goshgar Tahmazli, recorded a message in which he emphasized the importance of food safety and then handed over to the head of the FAO [...]

- by Renata Clarke, Subregional Coordinator, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) The food in our supermarkets and our open markets come from numerous countries, and in the case of processed foods, each of the ingredients may themselves from come different countries. It is indeed, a global food web that keeps us fed. While we generally know very little about the people who produce, handle and process the food on the shelves of our supermarkets, for the most part, we [...]

Kenya has pulled together a multi-stakeholder committee to organize a series of media events for World Food Safety Day this year. The committee, which includes relevant ministry representatives as well as representatives from the private sector and consumer organizations, has put together a series of events “carrying messages on key food safety aspects, which includes antimicrobial resistance, food contaminants, pesticide residues and residues of veterinary drugs in food,” according to the Codex Contact Point, Maryann Kindiki. “The level of safety of [...]

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ms F D Nassiri, a food quality manager with 12 years’ experience, has decided to conduct a solo food safety campaign for World Food Safety Day. Please support her efforts by following her Farsi-language food safety posts and advice at @foodsafetybyfdn !!

Students and staff at Kansas State University’s Food Science Institute are gearing up to raise food safety awareness in a variety of ways. KSU students from around the world have already prepared a video explaining why food safety is important and a podcast has been recorded for the University’s Global Food Systems podcast series. The discussions in this 7 June podcast cover subjects ranging from human food safety behaviours, cultural contributions and foodborne illness to global child mortality and antimicrobial [...]

In Nigeria’s state of Lagos, students are taking part in a project about training in food safety and good handling practices. They will celebrate World Food Safety Day as part of their training programme and plan activities at a local abattoir. They will have an interview session with meat sellers and consumers and have prepared information placards for the event. They will also give a presentation covering key aspects of safe meat production and handling and have modelled their messaging around [...]

Kuwait is a food import-dependent nation and, as such, Kuwaiti authorities are very aware of the vital role food safety plays in ensuring their citizens have enough safe and nutritious food to eat. The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition in Kuwait works with different stakeholders in the food chain to emphasise the importance of food safety and of preventing foodborne diseases. In a statement, the Authority said: “The global burden of foodborne disease calls for collaborative and joint efforts among [...]

The Chinese government has announced plans to conduct a full range of food safety activities at national and local levels across a whole “food safety promotion week” of fora, lectures and activities. The events, starting on 8 June, will be conducted under the theme “Advocating Thrift and Believing, Guarding Chinese Food under the Sunshine.” The events will explore a variety of topics and approaches, with education and technology playing a central role in many initiatives. National level events include the 12th [...]

Japan’s Food Safety Management Association (JFSM) is hosting a “7-day challenge” to celebrate World Food Safety Day. Starting on 1 June, the initiative is ongoing, with three events now complete: Day 1 - the #7daysJapanFoodSafetyChallenge was launched with a video message from the President of JFSM Day 2 - a food safety seminar entitled "Food Safety is on the Move! JFS Information useful for the HACCP (legal obligations) and export promotion" was given and made available on Youtube until 14June Day 3 – [...]