TODAY Tuesday, 7th of June 2022, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is marking World Food Safety Day (WFSD) celebrations with the theme: SAFER FOOD, BETTER HEALTH with its key messages that will be emphasized through Radio Health programs put together to mark the event.
World Food Safety Day came about following the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 that adopted a resolution proclaiming World Food Safety Day with the 7th of June designated to mark the day. This has now become an annual event around the world.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Environmental Health Division, acting Director, Mr. George Tituilu stated this year 2022 is the fourth year WFSD has been celebrated 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.
“Unfortunately, the global COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to change our work practices and this includes the way we organize events and are unable to organize physical events. So, for the Solomon Islands there are radio programs put together to mark the 2022 world Food Safety Day”, Mr. Tituilu said.
Health Ministry, Food Safety Unit, Chief Health Inspector Mrs. Patricia Soqoilo stated under this year’s theme- Safer Food, Better Health emphasizes safe food is essential to human health and well-being.
“Only when food is safe can we fully benefit from its nutritional value and from the mental and social benefits of sharing a safe meal. safe food is one of the most critical guarantors of good health.
“Unsafe foods are the cause of many diseases and contribute to other poor health conditions, such as impaired growth and development, micronutrient deficiencies, non-communicable or communicable diseases, and mental illness. Globally, one in ten people is affected by foodborne diseases annually. The good news is that most foodborne diseases are preventable”, said Mrs. Soqoilo.
She explained, that our behavior, the way we build food systems, and how we organize food supply chains can prevent infectious and toxic hazards, microbial pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and parasites), chemical residues, biotoxins, and other noxious or dangerous substances from getting onto our plates.
“We need to transform food systems to deliver better health, and we need to do so in a sustainable manner. Food systems policy-makers, practitioners, and investors should reorient their activities to increase the sustainable production and consumption of safe foods to improve health outcomes”, said Mrs. Soqoilo.
Meanwhile, she added to make safe and healthy diets accessible for all, applicable agricultural, food, trade, and industry development policies need to promote food safety.
Systemic changes for better health will bring safer food, which is a critical enabler of long-term human development and a prerequisite for the achievement of the Sustainable Development goals.
SOURCE: MHMS PRESS