World Food Safety Day being observed

World Food Safety Day is being observed today (Wednesday) to draw attention towards food safety standards. The theme for this year's day is "Food Standards Save Lives."

In his message on the occasion, President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized to ensure food safety in Pakistan by following food safety standards.

He said food safety standards can help us live an active and healthy life.

The President said nutritional and safe food can also help us overcome the problems of malnutrition and stunting besides helping prevent various foodborne diseases.

As per World Health Organization (WHO), the aim behind observing the day is to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security and human health.

The WHO highlights that the production and consumption of safe food have immediate and long-term benefits for people, planet and the economy.

The need to establish a world food safety day was discussed in several sessions of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from 2016 onwards.

Even a resolution was adopted on December 20, 2018, by the assembly to mark June 7 as the day to "celebrate the myriad benefits of safe food".

"Food safety is everyone's business," according to the public health agency.