World Food Safety Day: 600 million people affected by foodborne illness – UN

By Abdulrahman Abdullahi

United Nation has stated on its official website that approximately 600 million people get affected with foodborne illness annually.

“An estimated 4,20,000 people around the world die every year after eating contaminated food and children under 5 years of age carry 40% of the foodborne disease burden, with 1,25,000 deaths every year,” it stated in a statement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have embark on creating awareness to its member Nations on food safety.

World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is observed on June 7, annually. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this day is observed to “draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.”

FAO noted that the importance of eating healthy needs no introduction. Clean, healthy and safe foods help in our nourishment and overall growth.

Meanwhile, Codex International Food Standard reports that students in Lagos State have unite to take part in a project about training in food safety and good handling practices.

They will celebrate World Food Safety Day as part of their training programme and plan activities at a local abattoir. They will have an interview session with meat sellers and consumers and have prepared information placards for the event.

The students will also give a presentation covering key aspects of safe meat production and handling and have modelled their messaging around the World Food Safety Day calls to action.