On World Food Safety Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) stresses the urgency of bolstering preparedness against food safety threats, noting that annually ten percent of people worldwide suffer from illnesses caused by contaminated food, with 40 percent of these cases affecting children under five, and over 200 diseases linked to food contamination. Dr. Francesco Branca, WHO's Director of Nutrition and Safety, warns that food safety risks transcend borders in our interconnected global food supply chain, potentially escalating local issues into international emergencies. This year's theme, "Preparing for the Unexpected," underscores the necessity of readiness in managing food safety incidents to avert them from evolving into crises. The World Food Organization defines food incidents as situations with actual or potential health risks due to food consumption, stemming from accidents, inadequate controls, food fraud, or natural events. Dr. Branca highlights conflicts in regions like Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan as exacerbating food insecurity and jeopardizing food safety, emphasizing that the strength of the global food system hinges on addressing vulnerabilities. Action Against Hunger reports acute food insecurity affecting 18 million people in Sudan, with at least five million facing emergency hunger levels. Dr. Branca concludes by stressing the imperative for prioritizing food safety in national health security plans, urging authorities to ensure coordination among food safety networks, updated risk communication strategies, and the establishment of integrated surveillance systems encompassing animal, environmental, and human health.
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https://africa.cgtn.com/world-health-organization-shines-a-spotlight-on-global-threats-to-food-security/
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