Every June 7th, the world comes together to recognize World Food Safety Day, reminding us of the serious impact of unsafe food on our health. Saima Wazed, WHO’s Regional Director, recently shared a concerning fact: 1.6 million people worldwide get sick each day from eating contaminated food. Shockingly, 40% of these cases affect children under 5 years old. It emphasizes the need to work together to keep our food safe and protect our health.

World Food Safety Day, established by the UN in 2018, emphasizes the importance of preventing, detecting, and responding to the dangers of unsafe food. This year’s theme, “Prepare for the unexpected,” is especially relevant as we face evolving challenges. Wazed also highlighted the economic impact of unsafe food, estimating a yearly loss of $110 billion in low- and middle-income countries. It affects productivity and strains healthcare systems already facing many difficulties.

In Southeast Asia, food-related illnesses are alarmingly high, causing about 150 million illnesses and 175,000 deaths each year. The causes are diverse, from climate issues to inadequate safety measures. Addressing food safety requires everyone’s involvement, from governments and producers to consumers. Governments must develop and test food safety plans, while producers need to implement strict safety protocols. However, consumers also have a role to play. By handling food safely at home and reporting any problems promptly, we can all contribute to making our food supply safer. Let us heed Wazed’s call to action on this World Food Safety Day and prioritize food safety to protect public health and build a better future with safe, nutritious food for all.