THE FUTURE

OF FOOD
SAFETY
There is no food security
without food safety
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

CONTENTS
PAGES 4–5
INTRODUCTION
PAGES 6–7
KEY MESSAGES
PAGES 8–13
THERE IS NO FOOD
SECURITY WITHOUT
FOOD SAFETY
PAGES 14–17
FOOD SAFETY
IS SCIENCE-CENTRED
PAGES 18–21
FOOD SAFETY REQUIRES
IT IS
SHARED SOLUTIONS PARAMOUNT
PAGES 22–25 THAT WE FIND
FOOD SAFETY
IN EMERGENCIES SUSTAINABLE
PAGES 26–27
WAYS TO
PUBLICATIONS CULTIVATE,
PRODUCE AND
CONSUME SAFE
AND HEALTHY
FOODS WHILE
PRESERVING
OUR PLANET’S
Cover photo: Azerbaijan – Vandam village, fresh fruit is displayed at a NATURAL
RESOURCES.
roadside produce stand. ©FAO/Tofik Babayev

2
 GUATEMALA

Fruit and vegetables stall at the

green market.
©Pep Bonet/NOOR for FAO

3
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

INTRODUCTION
Today’s global
challenges are
transforming the way
we produce, market,
consume and think
about food.

Ready access to safe and nutritious

food is a basic human right.
Yet every year around the world, ITALY
over 420 000 people die and Associations farmers,
producing in Lazio region
some 600 million people – almost surrounding Rome, gather

EVERY YEAR one in ten – fall ill after eating

contaminated food. In fact,
in weekly markets to sell
food products from the
short distribution chain.

AROUND foodborne hazards are known to

cause over 200 acute and chronic
©FAO/Riccardo De Luca

THE WORLD, diseases from digestive tract

infections to cancer.
OVER 420 000 economies from disruptions or

PEOPLE DIE
The ramifications of the cost restrictions in global and regional
of unsafe food, however, go agri-food trade, loss of food and

AND SOME far beyond human suffering.

Contaminated food hampers
associated income and wasted
natural resources.

600 MILLION socioeconomic development,

overloads healthcare systems and Today’s global challenges are
PEOPLE FALL ILL compromises economic growth
and trade. Opportunities of an
transforming the way we produce,
market, consume and think
AFTER EATING increasingly-globalized food
market are lost to countries unable
about food. The most pressing of
these revolve around a growing
CONTAMINATED to meet international food safety population and increased food

FOOD
standards. Food safety threats demands, further compounded
cause an enormous burden on by the adverse impacts of

4
environmental degradation, Our cities are changing, importance in strategic discussions
climate change, water scarcity, transforming our food systems. on sustainable development
loss of biodiversity, conflict With rapid urbanization, cities and growth.
and socio-economic inequities. need to keep food safety and
Hunger is on the rise and sustainable food systems planning No matter how much our
preventable foodborne diseases high on their agenda. Today, half world continues to evolve and
continue to affect millions of the world’s population live in cities challenge us, the greatest risk
people annually. Food safety issues or towns on only three percent would be our failure to protect
hinder global food security and of the Earth’s surface. By 2050, and safeguard our food systems.
our collective goal of achieving over 65 percent of all people will It is paramount that we find
the Sustainable Development be urban dwellers. This means sustainable ways to cultivate,
Goals by 2030, and exacerbate the that issues related to food safety, produce and consume safe and
poverty cycle affecting the most food production and distribution healthy foods while preserving
vulnerable populations. will take on even greater our planet’s natural resources.

5
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

KEY
MESSAGES
Food safety is integral NIGER
A fruit vendor at the
to the Sustainable Maradi market.
©FAO/Giulio Napolitano
Development Goals.
When food is not safe, human Agriculture is under
development simply cannot take
place. In its plan of action for pressure, and food
people, planet and prosperity, production is changing,
the 2030 Agenda calls for
everyone, in particular the with consequences for
poor and the vulnerable, to food safety.
have access to safe, nutritious
and sufficient food all year In a world of accelerating
round. It pledges to ensure change, the need for food to be
healthy lives and promote safe remains a constant. As the
well-being, which are essential world is facing an unprecedented
to sustainable development. convergence of pressures from
socio-economic, environmental
and political fronts, a shift towards produced and processed in
Unsafe food takes a sustainable agricultural practices greater volumes and distributed
huge toll on human across all sectors and the whole over greater distances than ever
supply chain is required to ensure before. Widespread collaboration
health and the economy. a viable, sufficient and nutritious and contributions of all actors
Every year more than supply of safe food. Such a change across the food supply chain,
600 million people fall ill must minimize environmental underpinned by robust governance,
and 420 000 die from eating impacts, mitigate climate change, agreed international standards
food contaminated with and promote economic growth and and harmonized regulations, are
bacteria, viruses, parasites, social equity. essential to food safety.
toxins or chemicals.
Unsafe food accounted for
33 million disability-adjusted
From production to Good nutrition requires
life years in 2010. As for the consumption – food safe food.
economic price tag, unsafe
food costs low- and
safety is a shared Unsafe food prevents the
middle-income economies alone responsibility. suitable uptake of nutrients
about US$ 95 billion in lost and renders it unsuitable for
productivity annually and can Food safety is everyone’s human consumption and can
curtail trade. responsibility. Today, food is lead to long-term growth and

6
 THERE IS NO
FOOD SECURITY
WITHOUT FOOD
SAFETY, WHICH IS
THE BASE FOR
HEALTHY DIETS
AND LIVES
José Graziano da Silva
FAO Director-General

developmental delays in children. to comply with requirements

Poor nutrition makes people elsewhere. International standards
more susceptible to diseases. shield countries and companies
It is a vicious cycle that must be from discretionary national
broken. Sustainable Development trade barriers.
Goal 2, which is about ending
hunger, achieving food security, We need to keep pace with the
improving nutrition and rapidly changing food systems.
promoting sustainable agriculture, Production and processing
can only be achieved when food is methods and technologies
safe for people to eat. continue to transform trade,
changing the way food moves
Food standards help to from farm to fork. It is essential to
safeguard public health at large. ensure that the many economic,
Harmonized international food social and environmental factors
standards ensure that food is driving these changes contribute
safe, healthy and of good quality, to our ability to achieve Zero
and can be safely traded between Hunger for a global population
countries or passed on along a food that is projected to reach almost
value chain, enabling all players 10 billion by 2050.

7
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

THERE IS NO
FOOD SECURITY
WITHOUT FOOD
SAFETY
If it is not safe, it is not food. Food security is
achieved when all people, at all times, have
physical and economic access to food that meets
their dietary needs for an active and healthy
life. Food safety plays a critical role across the
four pillars of food security – availability, access,
utilization and stability. COOK ISLANDS
Farmer started
planting bananas for
The increased globalization of to prevent or minimize his family to ensure he
can provide for their
the world’s food supply means exposure to food hazards. food needs.
populations worldwide are Importing countries have ©FAO/Sue Price
more exposed to food hazards. progressively set up inspection
This is of particular concern for measures to protect the health
countries that rely heavily on of their populations and authorities in charge of official
food imports. ensure fair practices in food controls have no direct oversight
trade. However, over time, over the production process
Many developing countries higher volumes of imported of their trading partners.
import a significant share of the foods, together with the With the development of trading
food supply for their population. diversification of origin and relationships, increased dialogue
Some – such as the Pacific growing complexity of the between competent authorities
islands – rely almost entirely technologies used for traditional of importing and exporting
on food imports to ensure monitoring approaches, based countries, use of certification
food security. on intermittent or irregular mechanisms and improved
inspections at borders, is no oversight of the importers
Coordinated inspection and longer considered adequate. community are some of the
monitoring programmes lie available options to strengthen
at the heart of enforcing food A growing challenge for the effectiveness of imported
safety regulatory systems imported food is that competent food controls.

8
 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) share unique and particular
vulnerabilities, resulting in a complex set of food security and nutrition
challenges. Given their limited arable land, geographic isolation
and exposure to extreme weather events, many SIDS rely heavily on
remote markets for their food supplies, making them especially sensitive
to external shocks such as food price and supply volatility. As well,
consuming a diet of processed imported foods that are high in sugar,
salt and fats, many SIDS suffer from the “triple burden” of malnutrition,
where undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity co-exist in
the population.
A major challenge facing SIDS is to enhance their ability to deliver safe,
high-quality and nutritious food at reasonable prices to consumers while
stimulating sustainable domestic food production and providing viable
Regardless of where food is livelihoods to those involved in production and transformative activities.
produced, consumers have the right Strategies to educate and raise awareness among the different actors
to expect that the food they buy is along value chains about the importance of food safety (such as safe
safe and of the expected quality. storage and handling techniques) are essential.
FAO works with governmental
authorities, local industry and other
relevant stakeholders to ensure that
this expectation is met. health risks and lead to trade In addition, at the local level,
disruptions with substantial farmers and producers who meet
SAFE FOOD ENHANCES economic and social costs. consumers’ growing demands
LIVELIHOODS AND BOOSTS Opportunities of the global for more sustainably-produced
TRADE OPPORTUNITIES food market are lost to foods have the opportunity to
Chemical residues and countries that are unable improve their livelihood and
microbiological contamination to meet international food foster economic development in
continue to pose public safety standards. rural communities.

9
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

THERE IS NO FOOD
SECURITY WITHOUT
FOOD SAFETY

PROTECTING HEALTH,
FACILITATING TRADE
There are significant
interlinkages between food
safety and trade
Expansion in agricultural trade
has increased the availability and
affordability of food, but at the
same time it has increased the
chances that unsafe or unhealthy
food produced in one country
can affect consumer patterns in
another. The use of international
food standards worldwide
contributes to achieving global
public health objectives, as it
can ensure that the food that
gets traded is safe. In addition,
COSTA RICA
it helps reduce trade costs by
Farmers working
allowing food to move more in a pineapple
smoothly between markets. plantation, applying
good agricultural
In this regard, it is crucial that practices throughout
governments strategically invest the production pro-
cess and packaging
and actively engage in the work of pineapple.
of international bodies such as ©FAO/Ezequiel
the Codex Alimentarius and Becerra

the World Trade Organization existence of strong institutions

(WTO) Committees on Sanitary an imperative.

THERE IS NO and Phytosanitary Measures

(SPS Committee) and on Why food safety and trade?
FOOD SECURITY Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT
Committee), particularly in an
The relationship between agri-food
trade and food safety is attracting
WITHOUT era when scientific knowledge,
technology, products and
increasing attention on both
the trade and the development
FOOD SAFETY trade are rapidly evolving and
becoming increasingly dynamic
agendas. Trade contributes
to food availability and diet
and diverse, making the diversification throughout the

10
world; however, it can also and disciplines, including the products, producers must be
increase the chances that the food establishment of evidence-based able to meet national food
produced in one place will affect international standards on food regulations. Complying with these
the health and diet of people living safety and nutrition, have become requirements in export markets – in
elsewhere. Unilaterally-developed more important than ever before. a fragmented system of conflicting
national food safety norms and national food safety standards –
specifications often make it difficult As highlighted in Trade and can be challenging, especially for
for food to be traded across borders. Food Standards,1 a joint FAO/ smaller producers in developing
As such, global food safety and WTO publication, in order to countries and emerging economies.
nutrition measures applicable trade internationally and have
across borders, institutions access to markets for high-value
1
www.fao.org/3/a-i7407e.pdf

11
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

THERE IS NO FOOD
SECURITY WITHOUT
FOOD SAFETY

Codex Alimentarius
Food protection standards have
existed since ancient times.
The Assyrians determined weights
and measurements for cereals, the
Egyptians used scrolls as labels for
certain foods, the Greeks inspected
beer and wine to ensure it was in
good condition, and the Romans
CODEX HAS had a State system to prevent fraud
and root out poor-quality products.
WORKED ON Today, protecting the health of
consumers ranges from inspecting
FOOD SAFETY food additives and pesticide
residues to preventing chemical
AND TRADE FOR and microbiological contamination
SWAZILAND

OVER 50 YEARS.
or assessing the safety of modern,
Red cabbage growing
at times controversial, practices in an orchard field

IT HELD ITS FIRST such as genetically modifying

foods or using growth-promoting
which is sold at a
wholesale market

MEETING IN
that was established
antimicrobials in animal to facilitate access to
production. While times have market opportunities

1963 AND SINCE changed, the goal to protect

consumers remains the same.
for smallholder
producers and link

THEN CODEX
them with buyers.
©FAO/Believe
The Codex Alimentarius Nyakudjara

HAS DEVELOPED Commission held its first meeting

HUNDREDS OF
in 1963 with the objective of
developing food standards to Phytosanitary Measures (SPS

INTERNATIONALLY protect public health and ensure

fair practices in food trade.
Agreement) and on Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement).
RECOGNIZED Since then, it has developed
hundreds of internationally The Joint FAO/WHO Food
STANDARDS, recognized standards, guidelines
and codes of practice, and plays
Standards Programme includes the
Codex Alimentarius Commission,
GUIDELINES AND a crucial role in ensuring that
traded food is safe and of high
which is an inter-governmental
food standard-setting body.
CODES OF quality. This role is also recognized Its standards, published as the

PRACTICE
by the WTO Agreements on Codex Alimentarius, serve
the Application of Sanitary and as a “food code” that covers

12
the entire production chain. food is safe to eat regardless of the markets is safe and of the expected
These science-based, internationally borders that it has crossed.   quality. Each year, unsafe food
adopted standards provide a causes production losses of
framework for governments to INVESTING IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD around USD 95 billion in low-
establish criteria for food to ensure SYSTEMS PAYS OFF and middle-income economies.
safety and harmonize food trade. Sustainable food systems are the Safe food production improves
Codex is, therefore, the invisible future of food and agriculture. sustainability by reducing food
link between those working in FAO supports governmental waste and by enabling market
the food chain and the consumer. authorities, local industry and access and productivity, which
The Codex Alimentarius is vital for all those in supply chains to drives economic development and
governments, industries and other ensure that the food available poverty alleviation, especially in
actors in helping to ensure that on domestic and international rural areas.

13
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

FOOD SAFETY IS
SCIENCE-CENTRED
Science-based STRATEGY AND SCIENCE:
decision-making FAO’S FOOD SAFETY APPROACH
FAO works closely with its
boosts public health Members and international
and protects trade. food safety experts to provide
guidance for developing and
Risk assessment emerging countries so that “the
provides policy- best available evidence” is used
to inform food safety decisions.
makers with the This guidance is tailored to
information and specific country needs, especially
those that may be data-poor or
evidence they need have less mature control systems
for effective and and are keen to promote highly
participative approaches to
transparent decision- foster ownership of the process ZIMBABWE
making, contributing and results. The availability of Strengthening controls
agreed decision-making tools of food safety threats,
to better food safety facilitates an inclusive and plant and animal
pests and diseases for
outcomes and transparent process for food agricultural
safety decisions, based on a productivity and trade
improvements in broad set of factors rather than a
in Southern Africa.
©FAO/Jekesai
public health. FAO and single consideration. Njikizana

WHO expert scientific Making sound strategic decisions

bodies provide the is the primary responsibility of
food safety risk managers, who based on best available data
most robust and must weigh multiple criteria and evidence to prioritize food
up-to-date scientific and sometimes complex risk safety in their countries. Also in
interactions. Decisions often determining appropriate action,
advice available. require balancing food safety decision-makers often need to
priorities with resources, following consider the consequences relating
multiple policy recommendations to more than one risk factor, for
and selecting the most appropriate example, the multiple impacts on
intervention to minimize risks. public health, trade, food access
To be effective in building strong and security.
food safety programmes, food
safety risk managers need to Science is central to the work
influence high-level decisions of FAO on food safety and

14
quality along the supply chain. whole genome sequencing for
In close collaboration with epidemiological surveillance
WHO, FAO provides neutral for foodborne pathogens.
and independent scientific In developing high quality
advice as the essential basis for globally relevant scientific
the international food safety advice, consideration is given
standards, guidelines and to the entire food production
codes of practice established chain as appropriate as well as
by the Codex Alimentarius
Commission, and for supporting
all relevant and accessible data.
Regular updates are made to the
SAFE FOOD IS
the development of modern methods and approaches used to UNDERPINNED
BY SCIENCE
food control systems by ensure consistency with the most
national authorities such as recent developments.

15
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

FOOD SAFETY IS
SCIENCE-CENTRED

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert The Joint FAO/WHO Expert

Committee on Food Additives Meetings on Microbiological
(JECFA) has been meeting since Risk Assessment (JEMRA)
1956 to provide scientific advice began in 2000 as an international
on food additives, contaminants scientific expert group that
and residues of veterinary drugs evaluates different aspects of
in food as well as principles and microbiological hazards in the
guidance for safety assessment of food supply.
chemicals in food.
The Joint Meeting on
Pesticide Residues (JMPR)
is an expert ad hoc body
administered jointly by FAO
and WHO to harmonize
the requirements and risk
assessment for pesticide
residues. The JMPR has met
annually since 1963 to conduct
scientific evaluations of pesticide
residues in food, providing
advice on the acceptable levels
of pesticide residues in food
traded internationally.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert

Meetings on Nutrition

SCIENCE IS
(JEMNU) were established in
2010 to strengthen the role of

CENTRAL TO THE FAO and WHO in providing

scientific advice on nutrition

WORK OF FAO to Member States and bodies

such as the Codex Alimentarius
ON FOOD SAFETY Commission and in particular the
Codex Committee for Nutrition
AND QUALITY and Foods for Special Dietary
Uses (CCNFSDU) with a view to
ALONG THE set appropriate health-protective

SUPPLY CHAIN
and trade-inclusive global
nutrition standards.

16
 SENEGAL
Inspecting melons
using a magnifier in a
cold room storage.
©FAO/Marco Longari

CORE
PRINCIPLES
FOR SCIENTIFIC
ADVICE
• Soundness:
scientific excellence,
evidence-based, rigorous
and repeatable
• Responsibility:
accountability, safeguarding
the integrity of the process
• Objectivity:
includes neutrality of the
experts and of the advice
provided
• Fairness:
of the process, and respect
for all participants and their
scientific views
• Transparency:
of both the process and the
scientific advice
• Inclusiveness:
balance of skills and
expertise, minority scientific
opinion, geographical and
socioeconomic balance
without compromising
excellence

17
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

FOOD SAFETY REQUIRES

SHARED SOLUTIONS
Human health is Diseases know no borders. The food safety disciplines to identify
closely interlinked expansion of global trade is sources of food safety risk and
leading to new health challenges to develop measures to prevent
with the health such as the wider spread of or minimize these risks at the
of animals and microorganisms to people through most appropriate stages of the
food – from fruits and vegetables chain. Working with concerned
the environment contaminated with soil and stakeholders at national and
around us from animal-sourced foods. In local levels from both public and
response, FAO promotes a “One private sectors, FAO helps to
Health” approach as an integrated, strengthen the management of
multisectoral way to prevent and food safety in specific sectors and
mitigate health threats across the formulates strategies that promote
animal-human-plant-environment the application of Good Hygienic
interface. To do so, the Tripartite Practices and ensure compliance
Partnership of FAO, the World with national and international
Health Organization (WHO) and food safety requirements.
the World Organisation for Animal
Health (OIE) work closely to Food safety and produce
encourage practices that decrease FAO food safety and plant
the likelihood of live animals production specialists work
carrying pathogens transmissible with national institutions to
to people and prevent the develop guidelines and codes
transfer of contaminants from the of practice that integrate food
environment to foods. The “One safety considerations into
Health” approach brings together sustainable agricultural practices.
knowledge, insights and technical Long-term impact is ensured
capacities in human and animal through capacity building
health and food and agriculture activities with local, national and
that generate strong synergies, for regional partners.
more robust, effective and cost-
efficient solutions to the complex Selected examples:
health problems facing the world ➨➨Mycotoxin can affect staple
today. foods such as maize and sorghum
and high value commodities
FOOD SAFETY FOOD SAFETY AND PRODUCE,
LIVESTOCK AND FISH
such as coffee and cocoa with
important consequent food
IS PART OF FAO combines expertise in security implications for poor

“ONE HEALTH”
sustainable food production and vulnerable populations.
across the agricultural sectors and These toxins are implicated in

18
 MYANMAR
Supporting
conflict-affected
communities in
northern Rakhine.
©FAO/Hkun Lat

a wide range of health effects capacities to design and implement a science-based and integrated
that include liver and kidney programmes to improve food approach to managing food safety
damage, among others. FAO and safety in the primary production of risks related to foods of animal
WHO produced a user-friendly fruit and vegetables. This includes origin, including antimicrobial
and freely-available online tool programmes focusing on good resistance (AMR).
to guide national authorities practices on farm as well as
and operators to sample on monitoring pesticide and Food producers play a vital
26 mycotoxin-commodity other contaminants. role in stopping the spread
combinations. of antimicrobial resistance.
➨➨Farmer Field Schools (FFS) Food safety and livestock Antimicrobial drugs are essential
have proved to be an effective Improving the safety of foods to protect both human and animal
vehicle for enabling farmers of animal origin involves health. However, antimicrobials,
to understand and adhere guidance on good practices if misused for treatement or
to good practices. FFS are in animal feeding, animal prevention of diseases in the
developed to fully integrate food husbandry, slaughter and livestock, aquaculture or crop
hygiene with production handling and processing of production sectors, can contribute
issues such as integrated pest animal products. FAO experts to AMR – one of the world’s most
management techniques. on animal production, animal pressing public health threats.
➨➨FAO works with national health and food safety work AMR reduces the effectiveness of
institutions to build their closely with partners to ensure medicines, making infections

19
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

FOOD SAFETY REQUIRES

SHARED SOLUTIONS

and diseases difficult or impossible in developing the capacities for

to treat in animals, plants and fish inspection and for promoting
humans alike. Each year, an the application of good practices
estimated 700 000 people die by all operators in fisheries and
due to antimicrobial-resistant aquaculture: fishers, fish farmers,
infections, with the largest toll fish handlers and processors.
in low- and middle-income FAO uses participatory approaches
countries. Good hygiene practices to assess training needs and
in agriculture, food production, to design and implement
processing and distribution programmes for long-term
are required to maintain capacity building. For example,
food safety and minimize the Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning
transmission of AMR and other (SFP) often called “histamine
pathogens through the food poisoning” occurs when certain FAO has a unique reservoir of
chain to people. If antibiotics species of marine fish – including knowledge and information to
are not used appropriately, tuna, mackerel, sardines and assist countries in drafting or
antimicrobial residues in food anchovy – are stored improperly, amending legislation relevant
can also pose health hazards to as a naturally-occurring amino to food safety and quality.
consumers. Promoting a “One acid of the fish is converted This invaluable resource and
Health” approach to combating to histamine by bacterial collective wisdom has been
AMR, FAO, in partnership with contaminants. In some parts of accumulated over 40 years of
WHO and OIE, encourages the world, SFP is a major cause of engagement with different legal
food production practices that: foodborne illness.2 traditions around the world.
reduce the use of antimicrobials; FAO can assist in promoting
enhance food hygiene and WRITING THE RULES: the design of workable and
sanitation during processing NATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORKS appropriate national regulatory
to limit cross-contamination; Modern food legislation is a key frameworks in all areas under
and monitor progress in pillar for an effective food control FAO’s mandate, as well as
producing food that is free from system. In all countries, food is provide assistance through legal
antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. governed by a complex set of laws and institutional assessments;
and regulations which set out the support to participatory legal
Food safety and fish and government’s requirements to reform processes; preparation
fishery products be met by food chain operators of draft laws; and capacity
Improving the quality and to ensure the food is safe and of development activities for lawyers
safety of fish products requires adequate quality. and regulators. Such capacity
interventions at various stages of development helps countries
2
FAO has published suitable guidance to aid
the value chain. FAO, working countries in the management of such risks:
to improve their abilities
with national authorities and www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ to autonomously formulate
other relevant stakeholders, assists agns/news_events/HistamineHighlightFINAL.pdf appropriate legislation.

20
 EGYPT
Promoting and
developing national
potential on effective
sustainable
non-conventional
water use practices for
integrated agriculture-
aquaculture
production systems.
©FAO/Khaled
Desouki

Assistance is tailored to each animal and plant health and

country’s situation, with attention biosafety. FAOLEX, established
to the national legal framework in 1995 is updated with an
and tradition, as well as to the average of 8 000 new entries per
implementation of applicable year. It currently contains legal
international agreements and and policy documents drawn
international reference standards. from more than 200 countries,
To date, FAO has assisted a broad territories and regional economic
range of countries and regional integration organizations and
organizations across five continents originating in over 40 languages.
in revising their legislation. 
Governance enables safe and
FAO also has the world’s largest nutritious food for all.
legislative database (FAOLEX) on National governance is critical
food and agriculture, including for ensuring that we can all
natural resources management
(fisheries, land, water and
eat safe and nutritious food.
FAO is supporting governments in MODERN FOOD
forestry), and provides legal
information by publishing
transitioning food control systems
into governance mechanisms that LEGISLATION IS A
legislative studies and legal
papers online, including good
foster sustainable agriculture, the
production of safe and nutritious
KEY PILLAR FOR
regulatory practices (GRPs) for
drafting or revising national legal
foods and access to fair global
trade. An enabling governance
AN EFFECTIVE
frameworks. These publications at national level also contributes FOOD CONTROL
SYSTEM
cover different SPS-related topics, to achieving the Sustainable
not only food safety, but also Development Goals.

21
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

FOOD SAFETY
IN EMERGENCIES
International
emergency response
systems ensure
coordinated action
when combating
outbreaks of global
foodborne illness.
FAO, jointly with
WHO, leads global
information and
prevention networks
involving national
food safety authorities
MOLDOVA
and experts to Biochemical
prevent, prepare for examination for
diagnosis of bacterial
diseases
and respond to food (salmonellosis,
colibacillosis).
safety emergencies. ©FAO/Dorin Goian

FAO assists countries in building (INFOSAN). Operating in

food safety emergencies its 15th year, INFOSAN has
prevention and management facilitated communication across
systems to strengthen country borders, and between network
resilience to food chain crises. members, during hundreds of
FOOD SAFETY In order to promote and
food safety emergencies. In such
instances, INFOSAN, a practical
EMERGENCY facilitate the rapid exchange of
information during food safety
and reliable tool for information
exchange, can mitigate and
PREPAREDNESS related events, FAO and WHO reduce impacts of a food crisis

SAVES LIVES
coordinate the International by allowing risk managers
Food Safety Authorities Network to prevent foodborne illness

22
and save lives by launching and in 2018 an outbreak notified INFOSAN Emergency
targeted product recalls and of listeriosis was linked to Contact Points in importing
consumer warnings. ready-to-eat meat products countries of the details of
produced in South Africa the affected products to stop
Recent events highlighted the and exported to 15 countries. distribution. INFOSAN relies
important role this network During both these events, on proactive participation of
plays to support national national INFOSAN Emergency members around the world
response activities. In 2017 Contact Points provided key to implement appropriate risk
an outbreak of salmonellosis information, such as destination, management measures.
was linked to infant formula countries of contaminated
produced in France and exported products, to the INFOSAN Today, INFOSAN connects
to more than 80 countries; Secretariat, which, in turn, nearly 600 members from

23
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

FOOD SAFETY
IN EMERGENCIES

188 Member States together and MALI

its membership continues to Street vendors selling
grow each year. Commitment to watermelons in Bla.
©FAO/Swiatoslaw
active participation in INFOSAN Wojtkowiak
is one important way in which
national government agencies
can demonstrate their dedication
to improving food safety as a
global good.

IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION OF
FOODBORNE OUTBREAKS
The shift in food safety from
”reaction and response“ to
“prediction and prevention”
requires holistic and structured
approaches to collecting and
analysing intelligence for early
identification of emerging issues.
FAO works with different partners It is difficult to estimate the burden outbreaks. Surveillance systems
and Member Countries to develop of foodborne diseases: only a allow authorities to better
such intelligence and foresight to small fraction is recognized by understand major food safety risks
inform broad food chain decisions concerned authorities. The ultimate and to refocus prevention efforts.
and provide guidance on key goal of food safety and public It also allows early detection of
emerging issues. health officials is to prevent such adverse food safety events for
prompt and effective response.

RAISING AWARENESS TO ARM

INCREASE UNDERSTANDING CONSUMERS
OF DECISIONS TO ASSESS SUPPORT AND MANAGE Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses
FOOD SAFETY HAZARDS ASSOCIATED RISKS
and food recalls can have
wide-reaching consequences and
impact on consumer confidence
in the safety of the global food
supply. It is crucial to enhance
ENABLE PEOPLE TO COMMUNICATE food safety risk communication
MAKE MORE INFORMED RISKS AND ENGAGE with consumers among all
JUDGMENTS COMMUNITY stakeholders in the agri-food
chain, beginning with risk

24
managers and decision-makers.
This two-way exchange of
two-year capacity development
programme targeting a FAO WORKS
information and opinions
between all involved is key to
broad range of stakeholders.
Competent authorities, from
WITH DIFFERENT
restoring trust and protecting
people’s quality of life.
national food-safety authority
laboratories, private-sector
PARTNERS AND
actors, primary producers and MEMBER
COUNTRIES TO
For example, Mali sought to consumer’ representatives, to
improve its decision-making research institutions, academia,
approach to food-safety
by adopting a risk analysis
and civil society representatives,
were trained how to use their DEVELOP FOOD
framework. With access
to relevant food analysis
national data to prioritize risks
and optimize the management SAFETY
and consumption data, the
food-safety authorities requested
of those risks. As a result, Mali is
now able to build monitoring and
INTELLIGENCE
FAO’s advice on how to best
use the data to guide strategic
control programmes for domestic
and imported foods based on a
AND FORESIGHT
choices and day-to-day food practical understanding of risk FOR BETTER
PREPAREDNESS
control activities. In 2014, analysis.
Mali and FAO launched a

25
THE FUTURE OF FOOD SAFETY

PUBLICATIONS
FOOD SAFETY
FAO & WHO. 2018. Compendium of Food Additive Specifications - Joint
FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) − 86th Meeting.
Rome.
FAO & WHO. 2018. FAO/WHO expert meeting on foodborne antimicrobial
resistance: Role of environment, crops and biocide. Rome.
FAO & WHO. 2018. FAO/WHO Framework for the Provision of Scientific
Advice on Food Safety and Nutrition. Rome/Geneva.
FAO & WHO. 2018. Shiga toxin producing Escherichia Coli (STEC) and
food: Attribution, characterization, and monitoring. Rome.
FAO. 2016. Risk-based Imported Food Control Manual. Rome.
FAO. 2015. Food Chain Crisis Management Framework: FAO’S Approach
to Address Transboundary Threats Affecting Food Safety, Animal and Plant
Health. Rome.
FAO. 2013. Horizon Scanning and Foresight - An overview of approaches and
possible applications in Food Safety. Rome.

FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

FAO. 2018. Technical Guidance for the development of the Growing Area
Aspects of Bivalve Mollusc Sanitation Programmes. Rome.
FAO & WHO. 2018. Joint FAO/WHO Literature Review – Histamine in
Salmonids. Rome/Geneva.

TRADE
FAO & WTO. 2017. Trade and Food Standards. Rome.

CODEX
FAO & WHO. 2018. Procedural Manual of the Codex Alimentarius
Commission. Rome.
FAO & WHO. 2018. Understanding Codex – Fifth Edition. Rome.

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE KYRGYZSTAN

FAO. 2016. The FAO action plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2016-2020. People sell fruits and
vegetables at the
Rome. market in the village
of Ivanovka.
©FAO/Vyacheslav
Oseledko

26
27
 THE FUTURE
OF FOOD
SAFETY
There is no food security
without food safety

This brochure presents FAO’s work on food planet’s resources. FAO recognizes that the
safety and the recognition that ready access to ramifications of the cost of unsafe food go far
safe and nutritious food is a basic human right. beyond human suffering. FAO works with
Food security is achieved when all people, at governmental authorities, with local industry
all times, have physical and economic access to and other relevant stakeholders to ensure
food that meets their dietary needs for an active that regardless of where the food is produced,
and healthy life. Food safety plays a critical role consumers have the right to expect that the
across the four dimensions of food security – food they buy is safe and of the expected
availability, access, utilization and stability. quality. This brochure includes examples of
© FAO, 2019 CA4289EN/1/04.19

FAO’s work, and stresses the importance of

It is paramount that we find sustainable science-based decision-making and working
ways to cultivate, produce and consume together to build the world we want – a Zero
safe and healthy foods while preserving our Hunger world.

www.fao.org