2023-06-06 16:22:08
Over 200 foodborne illnesses, ranging from diarrhea to cancers, are caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals.
“Every day, an estimated 1.6 million people around the world fall ill after consuming unsafe foods,” said Nutrition Department Director Dr Francesco Branca at a UN press briefing in Geneva. and Food Safety of the World Health Organization (WHO), on the eve of the 5th World Food Safety Day.
Celebrated on June 7, 2023, this year it will focus on food standards. Food-borne illnesses affect 1 in 10 people worldwide each year. According to the WHO, food standards help people ensure that what we eat is safe.
Foodborne diseases responsible for 420,000 deaths
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recalls that food safety is an essential component of food security. This plays a crucial role in reducing food-borne illnesses.
According to the agency, 600 million people are affected each year by around 200 types of foodborne illness. And it is the poor and young people who suffer the most. In addition, food-borne illnesses are responsible for 420,000 preventable deaths each year.
Access to safe, nutritious and healthy food is a fundamental human right. Food safety is a key determinant of human health. To guarantee this right, governments must ensure that the food available meets safety standards. These standards ensure the safety, nutrition and quality of food and protect lives.
WHO, in collaboration with FAO, leads global expert groups and provides scientific advice to develop food standards and protect the health of consumers around the world.
. Access to safe, nutritious and healthy food is a fundamental human right.
The strong correlation between food insecurity and exposure to food-related disease risks
World Food Security Day comes at a time of global crisis. According to the FAO, 828 million people are in a situation of chronic food insecurity. A few weeks ago, the UN’s World Report on Food Crises highlighted that over the past seven years the number of people in food crisis has risen from 108 million to 258 million, some d between them risking starvation.
“It is clear that the hungrier you are, the more chronically acute food insecurity affects you, the more you will try to find food, the more you will be at risk of having access to food that does not is not sure, which presents risks in terms of contamination”, affirmed during a press conference in Geneva, Dominique Burgeon, Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Geneva, noting that “it is in the countries the most vulnerable where there are more risks”.
In fact, the FAO intends to recall “the strong correlation between food insecurity and exposure to the risks of food-related diseases”. This is why in all the countries where they operate, the UN agencies try to support these countries, whatever their situation.
60 years of the Codex Alimentarius
“This is support in terms of policy development, health security in terms of investment strategy in the field of health security, advocacy or through food control laboratories,” added Mr. bud.
It should be noted that this year’s Day also marks the 60th anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius, created by FAO and WHO as an international standardization body for food safety and quality. This tool protects consumer health and promotes fair practices in the food trade.
WHO also hosts the Secretariat of the FAO/WHO Codex Trust Fund, which has helped more than 50 countries in different regions of the world to build their capacity to engage in Codex work that contributes to improved food safety and consumer health.
In addition, the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) was established almost 20 years ago, in 2004, with the participation of WHO. It is a global partnership that helps developing countries meet international standards and access international markets.
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