Food safety: An issue of rising global concern

In today's world, Food safety has become an issue of global concern.
Increasing urbanization and globalization now make people across the globe demand for varieties of cuisines outside of their own native culture.
This has led to increased government collaborations and transportation of food and farm produce across international borders.
Hence,the food chain has grown longer.
This is putting more pressure on food producers, transporters, distributors and even the consumers on the need to preserve the quality of food being consumed in our homes and restaurants.

To help improve food safety, especially in areas where there is a higher likelihood of a breach in food safety protocol, the WHO has provided 5 steps to food safety.

"Food-borne and water borne diarrhoeal disease kill an estimated 2 million people annually, including many children and particularly in developing countries. Unsafe food creates a vicious cycle of diarrhoea and malnutrition, threatening the nutritional status of the most vulnerable. ": WHO fact sheet


Hence, the issue of food safety should be prioritized by governments and leaders globally.
Strict guidelines and regulations should be put in place and monitored, to ensure the safe delivery of food to consumers globally.

However in the developing countries of Sub Saharan Africa, food safety is probably not top on the list of priorities as some of these nations, still battle food insecurity.
In South Sudan about 2.5 million people are currently in a crisis or emergency level food insecurity while another 3.9 million people are undergoing food security stress.
Somalia and Chad are also amongst the nations in Africa that are food insecure.

"Where food supplies are insecure, people tend to shift to less healthy diets and consume more “unsafe foods” – in which chemical, microbiological and other hazards pose health risks. " : WHO fact sheet

With food insecurity, it is difficult to concentrate on food safety, as people do not even have sufficient food to cater for their daily needs and prevent hunger, let alone consider the nutritional status and quality of the food being consumed.
 


As we mark the 2015 World Health day, let us take the issue of food safety more seriously, and remember the food insecure population amongst whom food safety may not seem to be a pressing priority.