World Food Safety Day

  Children aged less than five years face almost three times the risk of illness from unsafe food than older children and adults, according to new estimates released today by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite being just 9% of the global population, young children suffer from nearly one third of all cases of foodborne diseases, particularly diarrhoeal diseases which can be deadly for this vulnerable age group. In addition, exposure to chemical hazards such as methylmercury and lead in food can harm the developing brain and cause lifelong neurological and developmental problems in children. WHO estimates that unsafe food causes around 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually, many of which could be prevented with measures including improved water, sanitation and hygiene, food safety practices such as pasteurization and access to health care for vulnerable populations. Although the total foodborne disease burden has declined since 2000, major regional inequalit...

The World Food Safety Day 2026 campaign has launched with details of this year’s theme: “ From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere ”. Led by the World Health Organization (WHO), this year’s campaign is dedicated to highlighting the burden of foodborne diseases and the science-based solutions that can prevent them. Central to the 2026 theme is the upcoming release of updated WHO estimates of the foodborne disease burden , which will be published in June in a key findings report accompanied by an interactive dashboard and updated Global Health Observatory pages with national estimates by hazard, providing global, regional, and first-ever national estimates of foodborne illness, death, and public health burden expressed as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 2000 to 2021. The report is based on data collected globally and in relation to a range of foodborne hazards and outcomes by hazard, which will help countries identify where policy priorities might best be placed. ...

Food can become contaminated with an array of hazards: bacteria, chemicals, fungi or parasites, which can cause at least 200 different diseases. These illnesses impact health, livelihoods, education and economies. However, they can be prevented - when we are informed and take action. Each year on June 7th, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) work together to facilitate the observance of this Day all around the world. On World Food Safety Day , we remember that food safety is a collective right and responsibility – everyone needs to play their part. Join us this year to celebrate World Food Safety Day – whether as a policymaker, a food business owner or employee, as an educator or as a consumer! Because food safetyis everyone’s business.

  Science provides the basis for food safety guidance, but preventing foodborne illness depends on all of us taking the right actions. Food businesses can: •Implement evidence-based programmes to identify potential contamination risks and ensure safe handling, processing, distribution and storage of food. • Reinforce food safety practices by continuously educating and retraining employees on the latest food safety practices and emerging risks. This ensures consistent high standards throughout the supply chain. • Support data collection efforts to facilitate regular review of the scientific basis on which practices and risk management measures are established and monitor and oversee their implementation

   Schools can: • Teach food safety basics and incorporate food safety education into school curricula, teaching students about safe food handling and hygiene. • Make food safety fun! Encourage students to learn through creative activities and involve them in developing good practices in their school. • Encourage an interest in science. The next generation of scientists is at school! Children should develop an understanding of science and develop the skills to critically assess information and support evidence-based decision making.

 Academics can: • Conduct and share research on food safety including known and emerging risks, and disseminate findings to inform policy and the public. • Provide education and training to governments and the food industry on the latest food safety practices, emerging risks and the importance of sound scientific research and data to prevent foodborne illnesses

 Consumers can:  • Practice safe handling using evidence-based practices at home. Following the five keys to safe food reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. • Stay informed by keeping up to date on food safety advice from national authorities. Staying informed about ongoing outbreaks and emerging risks can make us all safe.

You are invited to participate to the Seventh edition of the World Food Safety Day (WFSD). This year’s theme, “ Food Safety: Science in Action ,” highlights the vital role of science in ensuring the food we eat is safe . From a simple power outage at home to food poisoning at a restaurant, a voluntary recall of contaminated product s, or an outbreak linked to imported food, food safety incidents can occur at different scales and have varied impacts. Across the entire food chain —from farm to table—millions of people rely on strict adherence to best practices, standards, and processes grounded in scientific evidence. Science helps us understand how and why food can become contaminated and cause illness , and it provides the tools to prevent it. Scientists assess known and emerging risks, advise authorities, businesses, and consumers, and support informed and responsible decision-making. Without their work, maintaining food safety in today’s globally interconnected supply chains would...

This Toolkit was developed by FAO and WHO to help food safety advocates around the world prepare their World Food Safety Day events. Please get in touch and let us know what you plan for the Day, and how you are putting science into action this year! Events and news can be posted on the World Food Safety Day website. Email: world-food-safety-day@fao.org world-food-safety-day@who.int  Social media : tag @FAOWHOCodex on X Join: WHO’s Food Systems Community of Practice food safety group https://www.whofoodsystems.org/ Hashtag: #WorldFoodSafetyDay

  Keep it safe! Business operators must ensure that food is safed.  

The  World Food Safety Day  aims to raise awareness and promote concrete actions to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks, thereby supporting human health, safe trade, responsible agriculture, and sustainable development. It is an opportunity to: Raise public awareness about issues related to food safety Show how foodborne illnesses can be prevented through safe food practices Explore collaborative approaches to improve food safety across all sectors Promote solutions and ways to enhance food safety Multiple actors are involved in food supply chains : producers, processors, transporters, distributors, retailers, cooks—and consumers. At every point in the chain, hazards can lead to contamination. Everyone involved has a role and responsibility to uphold food safety. Illness caused by food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. Infectious organisms or their toxins are the most common causes of food poisoning. Food poisoning symptoms may include crampin...