ROME, Italy – Food safety saves lives. It is not only a crucial component of food security, but it also plays a vital role in reducing foodborne disease.
Every year, 600 million people fall sick as a result of around 200 different types of foodborne illness.
The burden of such illness falls most heavily on the poor and the young. In addition, foodborne illness is responsible for 420,000 preventable deaths every year.
As the globe celebrates World Food Safety Day 2025 today, Saturday, June 7, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are now pushing for science inclusion in agrifood systems.
“As we celebrate World Food Safety Day 2025, let us continue to raise awareness and strengthen action on food safety, because we all have the right to sufficient, safe, nutritious, diverse, and affordable foods,” said Qu Dongyu, Director General of the FAO.
According to Dongyu, the right to food is a basic human right, and food safety is critical for achieving the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
What does this year’s theme mean to food safety
This year’s theme, “Food safety: science in action”, highlights the crucial role that science plays in ensuring food safety. But we cannot leave it to science alone; we must work together among partners and play our part because food safety is everyone’s business,” he added.
The FAO DG observed that there is a dire need to ensure that everyone, especially the youth, has the tools and skills to think critically and make decisions based on evidence and science.
“On this World Food Safety Day, let us reflect on the fundamental role science plays in protecting our foods and in agrifood systems,” he explained.
Corinna Hawkes, Director of the Food Systems and Food Safety Division, FAO of the United Nations, indicated that it is not only the knowledge of science that keeps our food safe; it is rather our actions.
“It is actions based on the guidance and advice developed by scientists,” she said.
On her part, Dr. Luz Maria De Regil, Director Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at the WHO, said that together everyone can ensure that all people everywhere consume safe food.
“Let us put science into action. Because no one should get sick from eating food, and everyone has a role to play in keeping it safe. Science helps us to understand what makes food unsafe and guides us on how to prevent foodborne disease,” explained Dr. Luz.
Why science is at the heart of food safety
Corrina further stated that consumers rely on science-backed advice from governments and food providers when they make decisions about the food they eat.
“So, science is at the heart of food safety. On this World Food Safety Day, we acknowledge the work of scientists, educators, and the contribution we all make to food safety through our actions,” said Corrina.
Meanwhile, Dr. Luz reiterated that governments rely on science to inform their policies and food businesses follow scientific advice to apply it to good production and practices.
“The use of scientific knowledge is key to reducing illness and related costs, and more importantly, it saves lives,” added Dr. Luz.
To ensure food availability and food accessibility, Dongyu further said that for food affordability and food safety for all, everyone should accelerate the transformation of global systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable.
“Together, let us put science into action for food safety and food security for all,” said Dongyu.
