The first ever World Food Safety Day (WFSD) will be celebrated on 7 June 2019 to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. (FAO and WHO, 2019)

For this inaugural World Food Safety Day, ISDI joins other stakeholders involved in safe food production, manufacturing operations, and education initiatives to raise global awareness about food safety and its vital role in protecting human health and wellness.

Safe food allows for suitable uptake of nutrients and promotes long-term human development. Safe food production improves sustainability by enabling market access and productivity, which drives economic development and poverty alleviation, especially in rural areas. (FAO and WHO, 2019)

For more than a century, the special dietary foods sector has supported science-based nutrition and dietary management options for consumers requiring Foods for Special Dietary Uses (FSDU). FSDU are expressly formulated to address unique nutritional requirements due to specific diseases or disorders, or particular physiological conditions – from maternal nutrition, to infant and young children formulas, paediatric and adult meal replacements, and foods for gluten intolerance. ISDI members take great pride in producing tailored formulations based on the latest available scientific information, accredited food production and manufacturing operations and other global food safety management systems.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, managed by FAO and WHO, establishes science-based food standards, guidelines and codes of practice that ensure food safety and quality by addressing contaminants, hygienic practices, labelling, additives, inspection and certification, nutrition and residues of veterinary drugs and pesticides. When governments adopt international standards, farmers and producers are able to meet consumer demands for safe food at the same time gaining access to the global food market. (FAO and WHO, 2019)

ISDI is committed to helping its members understand the challenges being faced in food safety, and to facilitating collaborations and a global platform that can enable an inspired food safety mind-set, sharing of best practices, and harmonized food safety solutions for our sector. We, as representatives of the special dietary foods sector, are enthused and proud to support the World Food Safety Day 2019.