On october the WHO launched the Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030. The Strategy, adopted by the 75th World Health Assembly, aims to build a safer and healthier world and it is the result of a long and comprehensive consultation with Member States and intergovernmental organizations and institutions.
These are the main principles if the Global Strategy for Food Safety:
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Strengthening national food safety systems
begins with establishing or improving critical
infrastructure and components of food control systems as described in Strategic Priority 1. For
example, this can include developing the enabling framework of food legislation, standards
and guidelines, laboratory capacity, human resources capacity, food control activities and
programmes, and emergency preparedness capacity
Forward-looking.
This principle is reflected as Strategic Priority 2: Identifying and
responding to food safety challenges resulting from global changes and transformations in
food systems. The global changes and transformation that food systems are experiencing
today and that are predicted to occur in the future will have implications for food safety.
Therefore, food safety systems should be equipped to identify, evaluate and respond to
existing and emerging issues. The food safety systems must be transformed from reactive
to proactive systems, especially when addressing health risks emerging at human-animalecosystems environment interface.
Evidence-based.
This principle is reflected in Strategic Priority 3: Increasing the
use of food chain information, scientific evidence, and risk assessment in making risk
management decisions. Food safety risk management is based on science. The collection,
utilization and interpretation of data lay the foundation for building evidence-based food
safety systems.
People-centred.
This principle is reflected as Strategic Priority 4: Strengthening stakeholder
engagement and risk communication. Food safety is a shared responsibility, and it requires
a joint effort by all stakeholders in food systems. Successfully ensuring food safety from
farm to fork requires a more inclusive approach with all stakeholders, including empowered
consumers and FBOs.
Cost-effective – Global Strategy for Food Safety
This principle is reflected as Strategic Priority 5: Promoting food safety as
an essential component in domestic and international food trade. Food safety is a complex
issue that is influenced by socioeconomic status. With the globalisation of food trade,
foodborne pathogens and diseases can travel across borders and cause significant health
and economic impacts. To ensure increased access to safe food in both domestic markets
and international trade, food safety systems should be cost-effective for implementation
at all levels (domestic markets, imports, and exports). Food safety systems should be more
cost-effective for both importing and exporting countries while enhancing food safety in
the domestic market.