World Food Safety Day

World Food Safety Day History

World Food Safety Day highlights and promotes the importance of safe food handling, preparation, and storage. Hosted under the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, it seeks to draw attention to foodborne diseases and other food-related health hazards. The international observance provides a platform necessary for sharing best practices, raising awareness of food safety protocols, and fostering collaborations between governments, food producers, and consumers to ensure food safety worldwide.

The United Nations General Assembly declared World Food Safety Day in December 2018, with the first observance taking place on June 7th, 2019. The main goal remains communicating about the importance of food safety, a topic particularly relevant to the United States, given the country's diverse food manufacturing and consumption practices. The United Nations estimates that annually, roughly 600 million people fall ill after eating contaminated food, and 420,000 die, demonstrating the importance of this observance.

In America, World Food Safety Day is marked by various activities, which may include public education campaigns, food safety workshops, seminars, and webinars targeting food processors and handlers. Social media campaigns, school-based programs, and collaborative initiatives with food industries and food-related businesses also form part of the observance, highlighting the importance of safe food handling at every stage, from farm to table. World Food Safety Day takes place each year on June 7th, serving as a timely reminder of the crucial role that food safety plays in maintaining public health in America.

World Food Safety Day facts

• The "Danger Zone" for food is between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), as this range allows bacteria to grow rapidly. It is important to keep perishable foods below 40°F (4°C) or above 140°F (60°C) to prevent bacterial growth.
• According to the World Health Organization, about 600 million people around the world fall ill after eating contaminated food each year.
• Unsafe food is responsible for more than 200 diseases because of the harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances it can contain.
• The CDC estimates that foodborne diseases cause about 48 million people to get sick, 128,000 to be hospitalized, and 3,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

In the News and Trending in the US for World Food Safety Day

Top things to do in the US for World Food Safety Day

• Watch the 2021 World Food Safety Day video.
• Learn more about food safety.
• Discover 5 keys to safer food.

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