By Fatima Saka
The United Nations (UN) and other member states commemorates the “World Food Safety Day” as a day set aside to draw the attention of every individual across the globe and mobilize actions to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks and likewise to improve health.
The United Nations General Assembly which established World Food Safety Day in 2018, set 7th of June to mark a day to combat and raises awareness on foodborne issues.
This year’s theme, “Safer food, better health”, highlights the role that safe, nutritional food plays in ensuring human health and well-being, and also calls for a set of specific actions to make food safer.
“Foodborne illnesses are usually infectious or toxic in nature, caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances entering the body through contaminated food. Chemical contamination can lead to acute poisoning or long-term diseases, such as cancer, WHO noted.
However, the Common symptoms of foodborne illness are diarrhea and/or vomiting, typically lasting 1 to 7 days. Other symptoms might include abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, joint/back aches, and fatigue.
To avoid health commotion, one should ensure safety against foodborne and other kinds of related diseases, one should keep the environment clean, separate raw and cooked food, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials regularly.