Today, June 7, marks World Food Safety Day, a vital occasion dedicated to raising global awareness about the importance of safe food and the need to address challenges across the entire food supply chain.
Declared by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 73/250 on December 20, 2018, this day has been observed annually since 2019. It emphasizes that food safety and healthy diets are fundamental to public health and national well-being — requiring integration not only into health policies, but also across agriculture, economy, tourism, and trade sectors.
In a time when global food systems are becoming increasingly complex, any breakdown in food safety can result in severe consequences for human health, economic stability, and international trade.
Unsafe food is a major cause of illness, often due to bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances entering the body through contaminated food or water.
According to global data:
- 600 million people (1 in 10 globally) fall ill each year due to unsafe food.
- 420,000 people die annually from foodborne illnesses.
- Children under 5 account for 40% of the disease burden, with 125,000 deaths each year.
Ensuring food safety is central to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in combating hunger and promoting good health.
On this World Food Safety Day, institutions, governments, and citizens are urged to take collective responsibility and adopt preventive measures to ensure that every meal is a safe meal — because food safety is everyone’s business.
