Key Highlights of 1st UN World Food Safety Day 2019

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced numerous measures to attain the mission of creating healthy India. It regular inspects the food businesses across India for the presence of FSSAI registration and FSSAI license. In order to foster values of food safety and quality among food businesses, FSSAI also began the Eat Right India Movement 2018.

The Great Gluttons of the town, Rocky & Mayur were discussing the food industry updates while having their brunch at their favorite outdoor cafe. Suddenly, Rocky asked his buddy-   

Mayur: The global agencies are playing a very significant role in fostering food safety aspect by organizing various global events.

Recently, the first-ever World Food Safety Day (WFSD) was celebrated on 7th June 2019.

Mayur: United Nations in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has come up with an initiative to observe 7th of June as the World Food Safety Day.

Mayur: 1st World Food Safety Day was observed on 7th June to draw attention and incite awareness towards detection, prevention, and management of foodborne risks, and accomplishing the following objectives:-

1. Total food security,
2. Health safety
3. Agricultural & economic prosperity,  
4. Greater market access,
5. Enhancement of tourism, and
6. Sustainable development

Mayur: At the World Food Safety Day 2019, the UN has brought in a guide for achieving global food safety. It has 5 chief aspects as discussed below:

#1. Role of government in ensuring safe & nutritious food:

The government has a primary role in guaranteeing safe & healthy food for all. The policymakers must promote food safety by-

• Ensuring FBOs are complying to the general compliances like obtaining FSSAI registration and FSSAI license.
• Sustainable solutions in agriculture like the public distribution system (PDS), mid-day meal scheme.
• Multi-sectoral collaboration between public, animal health, and agriculture.
• In India, apex Food safety authority FSSAI has taken initiative to manage food safety risks in the entire food chain.

#2. Good practices in Agriculture:

The government must urge farmers to shift to more sustainable farming practices and avoid usage of harmful chemicals in agriculture. For instance, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), must be prevented as these are harmful industrial residues found in the environment and get accumulated in the animal food chain.

#3. FBOs must ensure food safety:

The UN has stated in WFSD 2019 that almost 10% of people all over the world fall sick due to food contamination. Moreover, over 4.2 lakh people die every year owing to food-borne diseases.

At this, Rocky gave a weird look to his grilled sandwich and asked-

“How to prevent such health hazards?”                            

Mayur: UN has stated that FBOs across the globe must strictly adhere to the food safety guidelines applicable in their country. For instance, in India, the food businesses must obtain the FSSAI registration. Besides, they must ensure certified hygiene practices like HACCP and GMP.

#4. Right to information

This is an undeniable right of every consumer as everyone has the right to safe, pure and healthy food. Very importantly, without food safety, children cannot grow & learn; adults can’t work productively, and hence, overall development takes a back seat.

#5. Global Co-operation

No doubt, Food safety is a shared responsibility and hence a Global Concern. Therefore, all regional governments, UN bodies, development agencies, trade organizations, consumer & producer groups, academic research institutions along with private entities should come together and work on food safety issues.

Rocky: So, let us both resolve to promote the above food & health safety aspects in our upcoming food trippings.

Mayur: Certainly! Now that it has become a Global drive,

You as a responsible Food Business Operator, must act judiciously and obtain a food license or FSSAI registration for sure.

If you need any further help related to the FSSAI registration procedure, please feel free to contact our business advisors at 8881-069-069.

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