The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has announced that “Food Standards Save Lives” will be the theme for the fifth annual World Food Safety Day 2023, taking place on June 7.

In a video, FAO explains how various global factors are affecting the food supply and food safety, and how food safety must be prioritized as agrifood systems change with the times. FAO aims to help countries to transform agrifood systems so that they benefit people and the planet, and encourages policymakers and stakeholders to increase sustainable, safe food production. The organization underlines that agricultural, food, trade, and industry development policies need to be based in science-based food standards to promote food safety.

Published by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO), A Guide to World Food Safety Day 2023 further explains the importance of food standards in protecting public health, including Codex Alimentarius standards, provides additional messaging, resources, and ideas for participation in World Food Safety Day; reminds industry and governments of how they can ensure food safety; and contains fast facts and a timeline about food safety and food safety standards. Key points that FAO and WHO are promoting for World Food Safety Day 2023 are:

• There is no food security without food safety
• Food safety has a direct impact on health
• Science is key to sound food safety management
• Food safety impacts positively on economies and livelihoods
• Food standards protect consumers
• Food standards help producers
• Science underpins food standards
• Everyone is a risk manager.

World Food Safety Day was proposed by the Codex Alimentarius Committee and was established in 2018 by the United Nations General Assembly as a way of raising food safety awareness and promoting collaboration across sectors. The theme of World Food Safety Day 2022 was “Safer Food, Better Health.”