From burden to solutions: Advancing food safety across the Near East and North Africa

Every meal should nourish, not harm. Yet millions of people continue to suffer from preventable foodborne illnesses every year, highlighting the urgent need for stronger food safety systems across the globe. 

The importance of food safety is reflected in the theme of World Food Safety Day 2026: "From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere". The theme calls for moving beyond understanding food safety challenges towards implementing practical, science-based solutions that protect consumers, support public health, and strengthen agrifood systems. 

Recent estimates from the World Health Organization indicate that unsafe food causes approximately 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths globally every year, with young children carrying a disproportionate share of the burden. These figures demonstrate that food safety remains one of the most significant and preventable public health challenges worldwide. 

In the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, food safety is closely linked to food security, healthy diets, and sustainable development. The region's dependence on food imports, increasing climate pressures, water scarcity, rapid urbanization, and increasingly complex food supply chains create challenges that require coordinated and science-based responses. Food fraud, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging biological and chemical hazards further reinforce the need for stronger food safety systems. 

Recognizing these challenges, the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) has expanded its support to Member Nations to strengthen food safety governance, promote risk-based decision-making and advance sustainable agrifood systems. Working closely with governments and regional partners, FAO supports country-led efforts to strengthen food safety systems and build long-term institutional capacity. 

A major area of work has focused on strengthening the regional evidence base for food safety. Through analytical studies and technical publications, FAO is helping countries better understand food safety risks, identify regulatory and institutional gaps, and prioritize investments that improve public health and agrifood systems' performance. This work supports evidence-based policymaking, modernization of food control systems, and greater alignment with international standards. These efforts also contribute to stronger alignment with Codex Alimentarius standards and international best practices. 

FAO has also strengthened regional cooperation, research and innovation through the establishment of the Regional Food Safety Research and Innovation Network and Innovation Hub (RFSRNIH). Bringing together governments, universities, research institutions and international partners, the initiative provides a platform for scientific collaboration, knowledge exchange, capacity development, and innovation. The Network is helping connect policymakers, researchers, and innovators to accelerate the development and adoption of practical solutions to emerging food safety challenges. 

Capacity development remains at the center of FAO's regional programme. During 2024 and 2025, FAO facilitated more than 25 regional webinars, workshops and technical events covering topics such as risk assessment, antimicrobial resistance, food control systems, surveillance, and Codex Alimentarius standards. These initiatives have strengthened technical capacities, promoted regional dialogue, and supported countries in modernizing food safety systems. 

Building on these efforts, FAO RNE is launching the pilot edition of the online course "Fundamentals of Food Safety in the Near East and North Africa" through the FAO Virtual Learning Centers. The course provides practical training for food handlers, inspectors, policymakers, food industry professionals, researchers and other stakeholders across the food chain, helping expand access to food safety knowledge and strengthen professional capacities across the region. 

FAO has also worked closely with partners, including WHO, INFOSAN, the League of Arab States and national authorities, to strengthen foodborne disease prevention, emergency preparedness, information sharing and regional coordination. These partnerships are helping countries move from reactive approaches towards more preventive and risk-based food safety systems while supporting safe trade and resilient supply chains. 

Food safety also featured during the Thirty-eighth Session of the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East (NERC38). Members emphasized the importance of science-based governance, integrated surveillance systems, digital innovation, One Health approaches and stronger regional cooperation, reflecting that food safety is a key component of resilient agrifood systems, healthy diets and sustainable development. 

Looking ahead, FAO will continue supporting countries in strengthening science-based food safety governance, integrated surveillance systems, digital innovation, risk analysis and One Health approaches. Priority actions include operationalizing the Regional Food Safety Research and Innovation Hub, expanding technical training and e-learning programmes, supporting collaborative research and promoting innovative solutions, including the application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in food safety management. 

Food safety is not only about preventing illness. It is about protecting livelihoods, enabling trade, strengthening consumer confidence, and ensuring that agrifood systems deliver safe and nutritious food for all.  

Achieving safe food everywhere requires sustained commitment, strong institutions, effective partnerships, and continued investment in science and innovation. By translating knowledge into action, countries across the NENA region can continue advancing food safety as a cornerstone of resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.