The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has emphasized that dependable data on the health impact of unsafe food remains crucial for shaping effective policies, encouraging coordinated action across sectors, and guiding consumer decision-making.
FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, made the call in a message marking the 2026 World Food Safety Day, observed on June 7 with the theme “From burden to solutions: safe food everywhere.”
He explained that the theme underscores the importance of using data on food-related illnesses, fatalities, and overall health burdens to develop targeted and cost-effective interventions.
According to him, foodborne diseases can affect individuals everywhere, and a clear understanding of their scale enables governments and businesses to take more precise and effective actions.
He stressed that reliable evidence on the burden of unsafe food forms the backbone of sound policymaking, cross-sector collaboration, and informed consumer behaviour.
Dongyu noted that this year’s observance highlights the dual need for solid evidence and practical solutions to ensure safer food systems globally.
He further stated that scientific data on the scope and patterns of foodborne illnesses is essential in identifying risk areas and understanding which hazards pose the greatest threat.
However, he cautioned that data alone is not sufficient, adding that insights gathered must be translated into practical interventions.
He said FAO continues to assist member countries in turning evidence into action by helping them set priorities, design targeted strategies, and allocate limited resources more efficiently for decision-making.
The organisation, he added, also works with countries to strengthen food control systems using innovative approaches and global standards.
Dongyu highlighted FAO’s role in promoting international food safety standards under the One Health framework, which recognises the close link between human, animal, plant, and environmental health.
He added that the agency supports capacity-building efforts to help national systems improve risk management and prioritise inspections based on evidence.
These initiatives, he said, contribute to reducing foodborne illnesses, safeguarding public health, and supporting economic growth.
He also reiterated that food safety is a shared responsibility involving governments, food producers, and consumers.
Governments, he explained, can use data to design effective policies, food businesses can improve safety practices, while consumers can make informed choices to protect their health.
He concluded that sustained collaboration and science-driven approaches remain essential to reducing foodborne disease and ensuring access to safe food globally.