"Food safety – science in action"

Everyone involved in the food supply chain - from producers, to processors, transporters, retailers, cooks and consumers - relies on the universal application of good practices, agreed processes and standards to keep food safe.

These all draw on the careful, clear and thoughtful application of the best available scientific evidence that explores how and why food can become contaminated and make us sick. Scientists assess and analyse risks to human health associated with known, established, emerging and anticipated food safety hazards, and they provide advice to help policymakers, food businesses and consumers make safe choices.

Without science, it would not be possible to maintain food safety along supply chains, which often span the globe and cross multiple borders.

Science provides the fundamental basis for food safety.

This World Food Safety Day, we are celebrating the important role that science plays in making informed decisions about food.

  “Food safety is everyone’s business”

Food supply chains involve several people: producers, processors, transporters, distributors, retailers, cooks as well as consumers.
At every point in the chain, there are hazards that can cause contamination. Everyone involved at the various stages has a responsibility to keep food safe.

There are five calls to action on World Food Safety Day:

• 1. Ensure it’s safe - Governments must ensure safe and nutritious food for all
• 2. Grow it safe - Agriculture and food producers need to adopt good practices
• 3. Keep it safe - Business operators must make sure food is safe
• 4. Know what’s safe - Consumers need to learn about safe and healthy food
• 5. Team up for food safety – Let’s work together for safe food and good health!