Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsRegulatoryInternational Standards/Harmonization

WHO Adopts New Global Strategy for Food Safety

By Bailee Henderson
global puzzle
June 10, 2022

On May 27, 2022, at the 75th Session of the World Health Assembly, World Health Organization (WHO) Member States approved the new WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022–2030 (GSFS). The strategy addresses current and emerging food safety challenges, takes into consideration new technologies, and includes innovative approaches for strengthening food safety systems. The strategy provides guidance for Member States in their efforts to strengthen their national food safety systems and promote regional and global cooperation.

Member States requested an update to GSFS at the 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly in 2020, noting that the food safety systems of many Member States are facing difficulties and require significant improvements in several areas, such as: regulatory infrastructure, enforcement, surveillance, inspection, laboratory capacity and capability, coordination mechanisms, emergency response, and food safety education and training. Member States also cited the need to integrate food safety into national and regional policies on health, agriculture, trade, environment, and development, and urged that a “One Health” approach should be applied to food safety efforts.

According to WHO, an estimated 1 in 10 people (600 million) will fall ill from over 200 diseases caused by unsafe food each year. Annually, these illnesses result in 33 million disability-adjusted life years and 420,000 premature deaths. The ramifications of unsafe food disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, such as infants and children, the elderly, immunocompromised people, and low- and middle-income countries. 

WHO also stressed the urgency of addressing antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in the food system, estimating that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will cost 10 million lives and $100 trillion dollars by 2050 if no proactive solutions are taken. A “One Health” approach to food safety not only helps mitigate the public health crisis that is AMR, but can also contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, of which food safety is a factor.

The recently adopted GSFS reflects Member States’ concerns, as well as feedback received through a comprehensive consultation process. The updated strategy outlines five interlinked and mutually supportive strategic priorities:

  1. Strengthening national food controls systems by 1) establishing a modern, harmonized, and evidence-based framework of food legislation; 2) establishing an institutional framework to coordinate the work of different authorities that manage national food control systems; 3) developing and implementing fit-for-purpose standards and guidelines; 4) strengthening compliance, verification, and enforcement; 5) strengthening food monitoring and surveillance systems; and 6) establishing food safety incident and emergency response systems.
  2. Identifying and responding to food safety challenges that arise with the evolution of food systems by 1) identifying and evaluating food safety impacts that are arising from global changes and transformations in food systems and the movement of food, and 2) adapting risk management options to emerging foodborne risks that are brought about by transformation and changes in global food systems and the movement of food.
  3. Increasing the use of scientific evidence and risk assessments in decision-making by 1) gathering information from and beyond food chains to make informed risk management decisions; 2) sourcing food safety information and risk analysis experiences from international communities to strengthen risk management decisions and technical capacity; and 3) making consistent and transparent risk management decisions when establishing food control measures.
  4. Strengthening stakeholder engagement and risk communication by 1) establishing platforms for consultation on the national food safety agenda; 2) assessing the pertinence of using non-regulatory systems for enhancing food safety across the food chain; 3) establishing frameworks for sharing compliance verification with food safety regulatory requirements; 4) facilitating communication, capacity-building, and engagement with food business operators and fostering a food safety culture; and 5) facilitating communication, education, and engagement with consumers.
  5. Promoting food safety as an essential component of trade by 1) strengthening food control systems and capacity development in regulatory systems for the domestic market; 2) strengthening interaction between national agencies that are responsible for domestic food safety and those facilitating international fair trade; 3) ensuring that national food safety systems are aligned with Codex Alimentarius standards to protect public health and facilitate trade; and 4) strengthening engagements of national competent authorities with international agencies and networks that establish standards and guidelines for food.

GSFS also asserts that, in addition to having critical infrastructure and components of food control systems in place, Member States must adopt four important characteristics for their food safety systems to become more effective. WHO suggests that Member States’ food safety systems should be forward-looking, evidence-based, people-centered, and cost-effective. GSFS also outlines a four-step strategy for Member States to develop, update, and implement their national food safety strategies, which includes: 1) conduct a situation analysis, 2) develop a national strategy and action plan on food safety, 3) implement the national strategy and action plan, and 4) conduct regular reviews of the implementation and action plan, and adjust the strategy as appropriate.

In the GSFS, WHO establishes its role in realizing the goals of the strategy. WHO commits to reducing the burden of foodborne illness by assisting Member States through advocacy, synthesis and analysis of information, generating guidance, enhancing technical cooperation and capacity, and building global partnerships.


KEYWORDS: food safety culture food safety systems Global Strategy for Food Safety (GSFS) one health risk assessment supply chain sustainable development goals World Health Organization

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Baileehendersonmay23

Bailee Henderson is the Digital Editor of Food Safety Magazine. She can be reached at hendersonb@bnpmedia.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Food Type
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Management
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Management
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

sunflower oil

Louisiana Passes ‘MAHA’ Bill Targeting More Than 40 Ingredients, Including Seed Oils, Dyes, Sweeteners

Raw chicken legs with vegetables on a dark plate

Cases of Salmonella and Campylobacter in England Hit Highest Levels in a Decade

smoked salmon in oil

Study Shows Food Type Significantly Affects Listeria’s Ability to Survive Digestion, Cause Sickness

Events

July 15, 2025

Hygienic Design Risk Management: Industry Challenges and Global Insights

Live: July 15, 2025 at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn the importance of hygienic design to ensure food safety and sanitation effectiveness.

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • The consumption and production of safe food have immediate and long-term benefits for people, planet, and the economy

    World Food Safety Day 2022: Safer Food, Better Health

    See More
  • chinese flag

    The State of Food Safety in China

    See More
  • WHO health talks

    WHO Health Talks on Food Safety 2022

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 1119053595.jpg

    Food Safety for the 21st Century: Managing HACCP and Food Safety throughout the Global Supply Chain, 2E

  • global food.jpg

    Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

  • 1119160553.jpg

    Food Safety: Innovative Analytical Tools for Safety Assessment

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Zenith Global Ltd.

    Expert food and drink industry consultants. Market analysis, strategy, international expansion, acquisition support. Also technical services from water and environment to feasibility and operations. Clients range from multinationals to start-ups. Email rhall@zenithglobal.com to find out more.
  • New Era Partners

    New Era Partners enables you to cut through the complexity of the FDA’s Food Traceability Rule and understand the operational impact so you can focus on compliance. Who better to help you navigate the rule than former FDA traceability expert Andy Kennedy and compliance expert Matt Regusci? We guide you in finding a path to compliance that best suits your operations.
  • Magnattack Global

    Specialists with over 50 years of experience in foreign metal fragment control and magnetic separation solutions for the food and pharmaceutical industries worldwide. Magnattack offer powerful magnetic separation solutions and magnet validation services.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing