Recent food scares prove weaknesses in food safety systems

19 JULY 2007 | ROME/GENEVA -- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WHO are urging all countries to strengthen their food safety systems and to be far more vigilant with food producers and traders.

Recent food safety incidents -- like the discovery of the industrial chemical melamine in animal and fish feed, or the unauthorized use of certain veterinary drugs in intense aquaculture -- can affect health and often lead to rejections of food products in international trade.

Such food safety incidents are often caused by lack of knowledge of food safety requirements and of their implications, or by the illegal or fraudulent use of ingredients including unauthorized food additives or veterinary drugs.

During the last 12 months, an average of up to 200 food safety incidents per month have been investigated by WHO and FAO to determine their public health impact. Information about food safety incidents of international significance was shared with countries through the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN).

"Food safety is an issue for every country and ultimately every food consumer. All countries can benefit from taking stronger measures to fill safety gaps in the sometimes considerable journey food takes from the farm to the table," said Dr Jørgen Schlundt, Director of WHO's Department of Food Safety, Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases.

“Countries are only able to keep their shares in globalized food markets and the trust of consumers if they apply internationally agreed food quality and safety standards,” said Ezzeddine Boutrif, Director of FAO’s Nutrition and Consumer Protection Division. “Consumers have a right to be informed about potential hazards in food and to be protected against them.”

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