‘Food safety is a shared responsibility’

World Health Day 2015 is on April 7 under theme-From Farm To Plate, Make Food Safe

Kohima, April 6 (MExN): World Health Day (WHD) is celebrated each year globally on April 7. This year’s theme ‘Food Safety’ focuses on the need for safe food that is ‘free from microbes, viruses and chemicals’. As food supply becomes increasingly globalized, the need to strengthen food safety systems in and between all countries is becoming “more and more evident.” That is why the World Health Organisation (WHO) is promoting efforts to improve food safety, from farm to plate on WHD.

WHD is an annual event being celebrated for years to raise awareness among people pertaining to health issues and concerns. The decision to have a day dedicated to World health was taken at the first conference of WHO in 1948 in Geneva.

According to the Family Planning Association India (FPA India), Nagaland Branch, one of the most effective WHD themes was ‘Global Polio Eradication’ which was adopted in 1995. From then, most of the countries have become free of this fatal disease whereas in other parts of the world its awareness level has increased.

“World Health Day celebration focuses on increasing the life expectancy by adding good health to the lives of people and promoting healthier living habits. Youths of the new era are also targeted by this event for healthy life which in turn makes the world healthy and free from diseases,” stated the FPA India, Nagaland Branch, in a press release today.

WHD 2015 is an opportunity to alert people working in different government sectors, farmers, manufacturers, retailers, health practitioners – as well as consumers – about the importance of food safety, and the part each can play in ensuring that everyone can feel confident that the food on their plate is safe to eat.

Food safety is a shared responsibility. It is important to work all along the food production chain – from farmers and manufacturers to vendors and consumers.

Unsafe food is linked to the deaths of an estimated 2 million people annually – including many children. Food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances is responsible for more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. New threats to food safety are constantly emerging, and increases in travel and trade enhance the likelihood that contamination can spread internationally.

In the wake of these statistics, “it’s about time we address the issue of food safety which is a growing public health concern,” noted FPA India. WHD stresses on the collaboration of every government with civil societies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and consumers to ensure safe food, where everybody has a role to play.

WHO’s five keys to safer food offer practical guidance to vendors and consumers for handling and preparing food:

• Key 1: Keep clean

• Key 2: Separate raw and cooked food

• Key 3: Cook food thoroughly

• Key 4: Keep food at safe temperatures

• Key 5: Use safe water and raw materials