In order to raise the awareness of food safety and consuming food with the utmost possible measures, World food safety day is observed on the 7th of June every year.
The day is known to raise awareness about pitfall foodborne diseases. The importance of consuming healthy and hygienic food is portrayed worldwide on this day.
The need to consume hygienic and healthy focuses on living a disease-free and sustainable lifestyle.
ORIGIN
The United Nations General assembly along with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN in collaboration with member states and other relevant organizations, established and marked the recurring day 7th of June as World Food Safety Day on December 20, 2018.
SIGNIFICANCE
According to World Health Organization, every 1 person out of 10 suffers from foodborne diseases from around the globe and around 420,000 people die every year due to foodborne diseases. Viruses and bacteria are transmitted from unhygienic food causing innumerable diseases which can affect well being of society in both the long term and short-term span. WHO laid its emphasis on focusing to lessen the burden of foodborne diseases which either cause ailment or result in death.
According to a report by WHO in the year 2015, “The burden of foodborne diseases falls disproportionately on groups in vulnerable situations and especially on children under 5, with the highest burden in low- and middle-income countries.” The 2017-2018 South African Listeriosis outbreak is one of the biggest examples of how foodborne ailments can affect society to such an extent. The widespread was caused due to contaminated processed meats. The outbreak resulted in 216 deaths and more than 1000 people were the confirmed victims.