World Food Safety Day 2025: Date, Theme, History, Significance

World Food Safety Day 2025 is being observed globally on June 7 with the powerful theme: “Food Safety: Science in Action.” This United Nations-backed initiative reinforces the indispensable role that safe and nutritious food plays in promoting public health, economic stability, and sustainable development.

Each year, over 600 million people worldwide suffer from foodborne diseases. The 2025 observance focuses on how science, innovation, and technology can mitigate these risks and ensure a safer, more resilient global food system—from farm to fork.

Why in News?

World Food Safety Day 2025 is being celebrated on June 7 under the theme “Food Safety: Science in Action.” The day highlights the importance of:

• Preventing food contamination and illnesses

• Building resilient food safety systems

• Promoting scientific investment and regulation

In India, where food safety challenges are particularly acute due to its vast informal food sector and street food culture, this observance carries even greater significance. With increasing rates of food adulteration and a shortage of food safety officers, national focus on regulatory reforms and public awareness is more urgent than ever.

Aims and Objectives of World Food Safety Day

World Food Safety Day aims to:

• Raise awareness about the global impact of foodborne illnesses.

• Promote safe food handling practices at every stage of the food supply chain.

• Encourage scientific innovation to detect and prevent contamination.

• Emphasize that food safety is a shared responsibility among governments, producers, vendors, and consumers.

History and Background

World Food Safety Day was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018, with the first global observance held on June 7, 2019. Initiated jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the day addresses the often-overlooked global burden of foodborne diseases, which affect over 600 million people annually worldwide.

Theme 2025: “Food Safety: Science in Action”

The 2025 theme focuses on:

• Data-driven decisions and risk assessments in food safety.

• Utilizing advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and genomic surveillance to detect and prevent contamination.

• Building resilient food safety systems to meet the challenges posed by increasing global food demands.

Food Safety Challenges in India

India’s rich culinary diversity brings unique challenges in food safety:

• Food adulteration increased from 15% in 2012 to 28% in 2019.

• Around 38% of Indian families reported buying tainted packaged food in the past three years.

• India currently employs only 2,574 food safety officers, about 15% of the required number.

• Approximately 250 authorized food testing laboratories mostly operate in wealthier states, leaving many rural areas underserved.

• Problems in transport and storage, including inadequate temperature control and packaging, further exacerbate contamination risks.

Significance and Call to Action

Food safety is crucial for:

• Better health outcomes and reduced disease burden.

• Supporting stronger, more resilient economies.

• Contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as Zero Hunger (Goal 2), Good Health and Well-being (Goal 3), and Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12).

The day encourages active community participation through simple but effective measures such as:

• Washing hands before cooking.

• Checking expiry dates on food products.

• Reporting unsafe food vendors.

• Demanding stricter food safety regulations.

Governments, educational institutions, NGOs, and food industries worldwide mark the occasion with campaigns, workshops, and outreach programs to raise awareness and drive meaningful change.

Conclusion

World Food Safety Day 2025 is a timely reminder that science and innovation are key to safer food systems and healthier societies. By embracing the theme “Food Safety: Science in Action,” individuals, communities, and governments can work together to prevent foodborne diseases and ensure that everyone has access to safe, nutritious food.

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