Food Safety: The unseen science protecting our plates this World Food Safety Day

June 7th marks World Food Safety Day, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of safe food. This year, the theme, "Food safety: science in action," shines a spotlight on the indispensable role of scientific knowledge in ensuring the food we eat is safe, healthy, and accessible. It’s a powerful reminder that behind every delicious meal is a complex web of scientific principles and practices designed to prevent illness, save lives, and reduce economic burdens.

The statistics are sobering: unsafe food is responsible for over 200 diseases, from common diarrheal illnesses to more severe conditions like cancers. On average, a staggering 1.6 million people fall sick every day due to contaminated food, leading to an annual economic burden of US$110 billion in low- and middle-income countries alone. These figures underscore the urgent need for robust food safety systems, underpinned by sound scientific understanding.

Science at the heart of food safety

From the farm to our forks, science is the silent guardian of our food supply. It helps us identify potential hazards — whether they are biological (like bacteria and viruses), chemical (pesticides, allergens), or physical (foreign objects). Scientific research informs the development of safe handling practices, preservation methods, and processing techniques that keep food fresh and free from harmful contaminants.

Consider the intricate global food supply chains that bring diverse ingredients and products to our tables. These chains often span continents, cross multiple borders, and involve countless touchpoints. Maintaining food safety throughout this journey would be impossible without the application of scientific principles at every stage.

Where Science comes alive in practice

So, what does "science in action" look like in the real world of food safety? It’s far more than just laboratory research. It encompasses:

• Precise monitoring and data collection: Scientific food safety relies on accurate and timely data. This includes monitoring temperatures during storage and transport, tracking humidity levels, and recording critical control points in processing. The ability to capture, organize, and analyze this data consistently is paramount for identifying trends, preventing issues, and demonstrating compliance with safety standards.
• Adherence to protocols and best practices: Scientific knowledge is translated into practical guidelines and protocols that food businesses and handlers must follow. This involves meticulous adherence to hygiene standards, proper cooking temperatures, cross-contamination prevention, and allergen management. Systems that ensure these procedures are consistently followed and documented are vital for maintaining a high level of safety.
• Proactive risk management: Science helps us anticipate potential risks and implement preventive measures. This includes identifying critical control points in food production where hazards can be eliminated or reduced to safe levels. Effective food safety management requires not just reacting to problems but proactively identifying and mitigating risks before they lead to unsafe food.
• Training and education: Disseminating scientific food safety knowledge to all levels of the food chain, from farmers to consumers, is crucial. Educational programs, quizzes, and exhibitions, as highlighted in this year's World Food Safety Day toolkit, are essential for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about food safety.
• Traceability and transparency: In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding the origin and journey of our food is becoming more important than ever. Scientific approaches support robust traceability systems that allow for quick identification and recall of unsafe products, minimizing public health risks.

This World Food Safety Day, let's appreciate the silent scientists — the researchers, the quality control specialists, the public health officials, and indeed, every individual involved in the food industry — who tirelessly work to ensure our food is safe. Their dedication to applying scientific rigor allows us to enjoy our meals with confidence, knowing that "food safety: science in action" is truly protecting our plates.

Learn more at https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-food-safety-day/2025