This month, World Health Organization (WHO) experts will meet, for the second time, to work on the WHO's global strategy for food safety. 

The WHO created a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on food safety that met virtually from February 8–10, and agreed on the structure of the new strategy and drivers of change for the future of food safety.

The second remote TAG event will take place April 19, 22, and 23, and will follow-up on points from the first meeting, discuss comments on the draft WHO food safety strategy, and prepare for the public web-based and member state consultations in mid-May. Attendance is limited to members of the TAG and invited observers.

The objectives for the second meeting are to agree on the main content of the strategy, as well as the roles of WHO and member states in implementing it; to suggest possible monitoring and evaluation methods for the plan; and to agree on whether the strategy should set indicators and targets and propose examples.

An update to the 2002 strategy is expected to be published in 2022. It will address current and emerging challenges, incorporating new technologies and innovative strategies for strengthening food safety systems.

TAG members include: William R. Jones, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Annie Locas, Canadian Food Inspection Agency; Sally Johnston, Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand; Sunil Bakshi, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India; and Anne Brisabois, French Agency for Food, Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety.