World Food Safety Day 2025: 5 Key Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

Last Updated:June 07, 2025, 07:40 IST

World Food Safety Day 2025: The day aims to enhance global understanding and prompt action to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases.

World Food  Safety Day 2025: Observed every year on June 7, World Food Safety Day serves as a global reminder of the vital importance of safe food practices. It encourages proactive efforts to identify, manage and prevent risks related to foodborne illnesses.

World Food Safety Day underscores the importance of maintaining food safety from farm to table. It aims to enhance global understanding and prompt action to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases.

This year’s theme, “Food safety: science in action”, highlights the critical role of science-based approaches in ensuring food safety throughout the supply chain.

World Food Safety Day 2025: History

The day stems from the collaboration between the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote global awareness about food safety. In 2018, the UN officially declared June 7 as World Food Safety Day. This effort culminated in Resolution WHA 73.5, passed on August 3, 2020, by the World Health Assembly to reinforce international commitments toward food safety awareness.

World Food Safety Day 2025: Significance

Unsafe food not only jeopardises public health but also hinders economic development and weakens food systems. The day is a call to action for governments, producers and consumers to share the responsibility of making food safe for all.

World Food Safety Day 2025: Key Facts

1. Diarrhoea to Cancer, there are around 200 diseases caused by unsafe food, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO).
2. Every day, 16 lakh people get sick due to unsafe food on an average.
3. Foodborne diseases lead to an annual economic burden of US$ 110 billion in low and middle-income countries
4. In 2016, FAO and WHO jointly marked the need for a dedicated day to focus on food security.
5. The 40th FAO Conference in 2017 supported the initiative, paving the way for a day dedicated to food safety.

How Safe Food Contributes To Good Health?

Access to safe and nutritious food is a cornerstone of public health. Ensuring food safety at every stage—harvesting, processing, storage, transportation and consumption, prevents contamination that can lead to serious health risks.

Foodborne illnesses, caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals, affect millions globally. These diseases can cause long-term complications and in severe cases, even death. Consuming food that’s clean, safely handled, and nutritionally balanced is crucial for a healthy life.

A safe and healthy diet helps fight malnutrition, boosts immunity and reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, stroke and cancer. Here are key components of such a diet:

1. Whole grains (5–6 servings daily): This will make your food rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. Replace refined flour and polished rice with healthier alternatives.
2. Fruits and vegetables (4–5 servings per day): Prioritise whole produce over canned or processed options. Limit intake of starchy vegetables like potatoes and yams.
3. Protein-rich foods: Include low-fat dairy, lean meats, pulses, poultry, fish and eggs to support muscle and tissue health.
4. Reduce sugar intake: Minimise consumption of sweetened beverages and processed sweets to prevent obesity and metabolic issues.
5. Limit fat consumption: Keep total fat intake below 30 percent of daily calories. Use healthy fats like those from nuts and seeds; limit oil or ghee to 2–3 teaspoons per day.
6. Cut down on salt: Consume less than 5 grams daily (around 1 teaspoon). Choose iodised salt to prevent iodine deficiency.
7. Stay hydrated: Drink adequate water based on your body’s needs and daily activity levels.
8. Avoid empty calories: Restrict fast food and items rich in trans fats to an occasional treat, ideally no more than once every two weeks.

Bhaswati Sengupta

Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle sect…Read More

Bhaswati Sengupta is a Sub-Editor at News18, where she works closely with the Web Stories and Photo Gallery team to create visually engaging and impactful digital content. She also contributes to Lifestyle sect… Read More

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