Food safety in the context of sustainable food systems

The evolving context of food production, trade, and consumption is challenging the way food safety risks are managed and the availability of safe and nutritious food for all. Urgent action at all stages of the food chains with a systems approach is necessary to protect people’s health, the environment, economies and cultures. Food safety is an integral part of sustainable food systems and it is an issue that requires action and collaboration between various sectors, groups of stakeholders and countries.

To understand and reduce food safety risks, preventive measures, and appropriate response mechanisms need to be in place. This requires a thorough investigation of the connections between the health of people, animals, and plants to prevent food chain risks and foster public and private sector actions.

On the occasion of the World Food Safety Day 7 June 2021, the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and WHO Regional Office for Europe are inviting all interested actors in the region to discuss food safety in the context of sustainable food systems and actions needed to address food safety issues in the human-animal-environment interface to assure “safe food now for a healthy tomorrow”.

A high-level opening by Vladimir Rakhmanin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative and Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe will be followed by the keynote speech of Delia Grace Randolph, professor of food safety systems at the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, and an expert panel discussion. 

Join the discussion on 7 June, 11:00– 12:30 p.m. (CEST)

The ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube in English can also be followed on Zoom in English and Russian.