FAO food safety and COVID-19 posters used to support Global Food Security Cluster
In March 2020, the Global Food Security Cluster (gFSC) convened an ad-hoc COVID-19 technical working group to coordinate the efforts of gFSC partners in their preparedness and humanitarian response to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food security of vulnerable and affected populations. The FAO Food Safety and Quality Unit was called upon to support the development of operational guidance related to food hygiene and food handling targeting vulnerable households and communities affected by the pandemic.
FAO Food Safety and Quality Officer Christine Kopko is among the many FAO experts collaborating with the gFSC, which is co-led by FAO and WFP.
“Working with this group is rewarding because it brings together experts from many organizations to help those most in need, at the time when they most need it,” said Kopko.
The gFSC is using three posters, developed by FAO food safety experts, to guide food safety regulators, food businesses and consumers on keeping food safe during the pandemic. The posters are based on longer guidance documents produced with the World Health Organization and feature ten things that the three target audiences should know about food safety and COVID-19. With clear language and images, the posters serve as a quick reference to practical food safety advice.
Available in the six official UN languages, the posters are also being translated into local languages for several countries.
Established in 2011, the gFSC works with a group of NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, UN organizations, governments and donors to coordinate the food security response during a humanitarian crisis, addressing issues of food availability, access and utilization.
Read more about the gFSC: https://fscluster.org/global-working-groups
See the posters for
- consumers in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, Burmese, Vietnamese
- food businesses in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, Burmese
- food safety authorities in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, Burmese, Vietnamese
Related links
- Food Safety in the time of COVID-19
- COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidance for competent authorities responsible for national food safety control systems
Arabic, English, French, Russian, Spanish
- COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidance for food businesses: Interim guidance