World Food Safety Day [June 7]: History, Theme

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Jun 7, 2023, 10:22

World Food Safety Day is celebrated on June 7 every year to encourage producers, consumers and governments to acknowledge the mutual responsibility of food safety. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) together designated this day in 2018. World Food Safety Day theme 2023 is “Food Standards Save Lives”.

This day aims to increase awareness about food safety to minimize health concerns and risks posed by foodborne diseases. In this article, we have shared further details about World Food Safety Day, its theme, history and significance.

World Food Safety Day 2023

World Food Safety Day aims to draw attention to and inspire action toward preventing, detecting, and mitigating foodborne risks. One in ten people globally falls ill by consuming contaminated food. Food Safety Day aims to reorient focus on food safety to create provisions to ensure that food safety and health are monitored and improved sustainably.

The two organizations of the United Nations, WHO and FAO, together designated June 7 as World Food Safety Day in 2018. Learn more about this day from the overview shared in the table below.

Day

World Food Safety Day

Celebrated

June 7 (annually)

Established

WHO, FAO (United Nations)

World Food Safety Day Theme 2023

“Food Standards Save Lives”

Objective

To raise awareness about the need to follow food safety regulations and the consequence of ignoring them

World Food Safety Day Theme 2023

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announces a new World Food Safety Day theme every year. The theme raises a key concern and encourages world leaders to talk about the issue. World Food Safety Day theme 2023 is “Food Standards Save Lives”.

World Food Safety Day was first celebrated on June 7, 2019. It was established by the United Nations in December 2018. Here, we have shared the World Food Safety Day theme from 2019-2023.

  • 2023: “Food Standards Save Lives”
  • 2022: “Safer Food, Better Health”
  • 2021: “Safe Food Today for a Healthy Tomorrow”
  • 2020: “Food Safety, Everyone's Business”
  • 2019: “Food Safety, Everyone's Business”

Food Safety Day History

In December 2018, the United Nations approved the annual celebration of World Food Safety Day. It was celebrated for the first time on June 7, 2019. Here is all about the history of Food Safety Day.

  • This day was jointly facilitated by the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FOA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), along with member states and organizations.
  • The first World Food Safety Day celebration took place at the Addis Ababa Conference and the Geneva Forum 2019, under The Future of Food Safety.
  • The first World Food Safety Day theme was “Food Safety, Everyone's Business”.

World Food Safety Day: Objective

The objective of Food Safety Day is to assist, avoid, detect and control foodborne risks and promote values and practices to help food healthy. Every year, millions of people fall ill due to food-borne diseases. Practicing food safety measures can reduce the risk of these diseases to a great extent.

World Food Safety Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of food safety. By following the simple measures dictated by food safety authorities, we can lead a healthy life, free of the risk of food contamination.

World Food Safety Day Significance

World Food Safety Day is a significant occasion because it highlights the consequence of food safety negligence. Here are all the reasons why this day is so important.

  • Food Safety Day raises awareness about the fact that the burden of foodborne infections falls especially on the marginalised rural and poor communities.
  • It also disproportionately affects children under the age of five.
  • Each year, an estimated 700,000 people die due to antimicrobial infections introduced via food.
  • Over 200 diseases are caused by eating contaminated food containing bacteria, parasites, viruses, chemical substances, or plastic.
  • World Food Safety Day encourages governments, policy-makers, practitioners, and investors to take action about food safety.

Food Safety Day in India

India is one of the 189 members that support and observed World Food Safety Day. In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare virtually attended the Food Safety Day celebrations organised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has created five parameters to measure the performance of States on food safety:

  • Human Resources & Institutional Arrangements
  • Compliance
  • Food Testing Infrastructure & Surveillance
  • Training, and Capacity Building
  • Consumer Empowerment

Why Should We Celebrate World Food Safety Day?

Every year on June 7, people celebrate World Food Safety Day. This day highlights the number of people that lose their lives due to foodborne diseases. Given the risk and long-term damage that is done due to foodborne illnesses, instilling healthy food practices and hygienic behaviour is a top focus of Food Safety Day.

In India and other agricultural nations, celebrating World Food Safety Day is especially important. It helps ensure healthy practices in farm markets, warehouses, stores, and even in kitchens or until the food is served.

Important Current Affairs Topics

Asia-Africa Growth CorridorAsia Pacific Trade Agreement
Asian Clearing UnionAtlantic Slave Trade
CMS-01 SatelliteCobra Gold
Commission on the Status of WomenCompany Rule
World Bicycle DayCrisis in Afghanistan

FAQs on World Food Safety Day

Q1. When is World Food Safety Day?

World Food Safety Day is celebrated on June 7 every year. This day was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) in December 2018. Food Safety Day raises awareness about the importance of food safety regulations.

Q2. What is the theme of World Food Safety Day 2023?

Every year on Food Safety Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announces a new theme. World Food Safety Day theme 2023 is “Food Standards Save Lives”. This theme reemphasizes the fact that food standards are essential to safeguard lives and reduce the risk of food contamination.

Q3. Who started World Food Safety Day?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations declared June 7 as World Food Safety Day. The two organizations established Food Safety Day in December 2018 and the day was celebrated for the first time on June 7, 2019.

Q4. Why is June 7 celebrated as World Food Safety Day?

June 7 is celebrated as World Food Safety Day because the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) announced June 7 as Food Safety Day in December 2018. Since the following year, World Food Safety Day has been celebrated every year.

Q5. What was the theme of World Food Safety Day 2022?

The theme for World Food Safety Day 2022 was “Safer Food, Better Health.” Every year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) sets a new theme for Food Safety Day to encourage people to make food safety their top priority.

Q6. Why do we celebrate World Food Safety Day?

World Food Safety Day is an annual celebration to draw attention to and take action to prevent and manage foodborne risks and improves human health. Every year, millions of people fall ill because of foodborne diseases. Food Safety Day is the right occasion to highlight this and demand better food safety regulations.

Q7. Are World Food Day and World Food Safety Day the same?

No, World Food Day is celebrated on October 16 and focuses on eliminating poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. On the other hand, World Food Safety Day is celebrated on June 7 each year to bring attention to the need and lessons in safe food habits and regulations.