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WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY

8th June, 2023 Science and Technology

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Context

  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) reaffirmed its dedication to food safety and innovation by organizing an interactive session on June 7th, 2023 at Vigyan Bhavan, in honor of World Food Safety Day.

WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY

  • Every year on June 7th, there is a commemoration of World Food Safety Day to raise awareness of the safety and quality of food across the world. Along with endangering the economic stability of nations, poor food has a grave effect on people's health and well-being.
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) work together to mark World Food Safety Day and raise awareness of the negative effects of contaminated water and food on health worldwide. This day is commemorated to raise awareness of and take precautions against food-borne diseases.

The Theme of World Food Safety Day 2023

  • The theme of World Food Safety Day 2023 is "Food Standards Save Lives."
  • The majority of individuals rely on the information on consumable item packaging to determine if their food is safe. Farmers and food processors are guided by these food safety requirements. Customers may make educated decisions with the support of nutrition and allergy labels.

World Food Safety Day 2023: Significance

  • Due to the increased use of pesticides, chemicals, and additives in food due to modern farming practices, consumers will suffer if these substances are not controlled. Another significant issue is water pollution.
  • To promote the best health for all customers, World Food Safety Day makes sure that food standards are followed.

World Food Safety Day 2023: History

  • The FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme is implemented by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), which backed a proposal to observe World Food Safety Day in 2016. In July of the following year, at its 40th session, the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) adopted a resolution in favour of the concept, which was also backed by WHO.
  • The United Nations General Assembly finally declared on December 20, 2018, that World Food Safety Day will be commemorated on June 7 in its resolution 73/250. 

READ ABOUT CODEX ALIMENTARIOUS COMMISSION: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/codex-alimentarius-commission#:~:text=Set%20up%20in%201963%2C%20the,and%20ensure%20fair%20practices%20in

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements.

a) The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) work together to mark World Food Safety Day.

b) Set up in 1963, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an intergovernmental body established jointly by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), within the framework of the Joint Food Standards Programme to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1)    a only

2)    b only

3)    Both a and b

4)    None of the above.

Correct Answer: 3) Both a and b

https://zeenews.india.com/health/world-food-safety-day-with-food-standards-save-lives-as-2023-theme-here-is-the-days-significance-and-history-2618737