09 June 2021

World Food Safety Day 07 June 2021 – The WHO Is Avoiding Talking About Pesticide Residues!?

Did not know that, but I just saw Searca’s Facebook sharing on “World Food Safety Day,” which is today, Monday, 07 June 2021, and so, I googled for more.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says[1]:

World Food Safety Day… celebrated on 07 June 2021, aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, (thus) contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. 

I note the aim of this year’s celebration: “To help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks.” The risks contribute to food insecurity, human ill-health, and lack of progress in the economy, agriculture, markets, tourism and, overall, sustainable development.

This year’s theme, ‘Safe Food Today For A Healthy Tomorrow,’ stresses that production and consumption of safe food has immediate and long-term benefits for people, the planet and the economy. Recognizing the systemic connections between the health of people, animals, plants, the environment and the economy will help us meet the needs of the future.

Having safe foods has immediate and long-term benefits to the people, the environment, and the economy. Within the same system, the health of the people is connected to the health of animals, plants, the environment and the economy.

The WHO also says:

Food safety is a shared responsibility between governments, producers and consumers.  Everyone has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food we consume is safe and healthy. Through the World Food Safety Day, WHO works to mainstream food safety in the public agenda and reduce the burden of foodborne diseases globally. Food safety is everyone's business.

The WHO and Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) jointly facilitate the observance of the Day in collaboration with United Nations Member States and relevant organizations.

Something’s not right. According to the Australian Institute of Food Safety (“What Is Food Safety?” undated, Foodsafety.com.au):

Food Safety refers to handling, preparing and storing food in a way to best reduce the risk of individuals becoming sick from foodborne illnesses.

Food safety is a global concern that covers a variety of different areas of everyday life.

The principles of food safety aim to prevent food from becoming contaminated and causing food poisoning.

Now then, those official sources tell me that the emphases on “food safety” are definitely (1) foodborne diseases and (2) food poisoning.

I’m looking for a 3rd emphasis but I do not find it, so I ask: Where is the emphasis on the (3) nutritive values of foods?

Now, I will approach the subject of food nutrition on the basis of how farmers practice agriculture. Since it is common practice for farmers to spray their crops with pesticides – any of these: fungicides, insecticides, molluscicides – I will now ask how do you determine food safety with food products on display in the market or store? (image of “How Safe Are…[2]” from Potato News Today)

A related question is: “Who should be watching out for pesticide residues in food intended for humans?”@517



[1]https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-food-safety-day/2021?fbclid=IwAR2jeohaeUqDofn33STiQEkSBZyzE8ezn8Ho4pJGic8grTz_1grYb21GcCY

[2]https://www.potatonewstoday.com/2019/04/07/affs-pesticide-residue-calculator-shows-noteworthy-results/

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