World Food Safety Day – 7 June 2024
A day for food safety
Each year, unsafe food causes 600 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths, 40% of which are children under 5. Since 2019, 7 June has been World Food Safety Day, established by the UN (Resolution 73/250) to promote prevention, monitoring, and risk management along the food chain. The 2024 edition was held under the slogan “Food safety: everyone’s business” with initiatives from WHO, FAO, and Member States.
The event at the Chamber of Deputies
On 6 June 2024, the Chamber of Deputies hosted the event “Food safety is science”, promoted by the National Agrifood Cluster CL.A.N. The Piepoli Institute presented a survey on Italians’ trust and perceptions: 60% of young people aged 18–34 said they trust science and technology; 25% associate safety with good labeling, 21% with proper storage, 20% with precision agriculture and AI. 35% recognize innovation for reducing waste and extending shelf life.
Trust, risks, and the role of experts
Doubts remain about GMOs (only 27% would like them more widely used). Perceived risks include: excessive use of antibiotics and hormones, poor storage, and GMOs; less attention is paid to microplastics, foreign origin, and microbial contamination. TV remains the most credible channel, while the Internet is trusted by 19%. In light of these findings, it is urgent that food safety professionals act as “insiders” and correctly inform citizens and clients. Because, beyond slogans, food safety is truly “everyone’s business”.
