Eastern and Southern Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF) joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Food Safety Day on June 7, 2023, in which small-scale farmers in Uganda were urged to embrace the use of available materials for food production.
It has been noted that the use of chemicals to boost the faster growth of plants has led to many populace getting infected due to the high consumption of chemicals used during production.
In the due cause of executing their duties, the farmers have decried a number of challenges that range from poor food management, poor storage, pesticides, electricity supply and lack of infrastructural facilities to transport the food produce.
Some sections of the farmers urged the government and other stakeholders to create awareness among the people on the importance of agroecology and how to safely store food produces.
They further requested the government to strengthen the implementation of agricultural policies and practices through the control of transportation and storage, establishing a specific institution that deals in teaching small-scale farmers on the use of available resources to produce food and roads for proper supply of the produce to the markets.
Whereas promotion of personal hygiene through washing hands before and after eating food can save many from getting infected with various diseases and eating hygienic food keeps the body safe from sickness.
World Food Safety Day is observed every year on 7 June to create awareness about the safety and quality of food worldwide. Low-quality food affects the health and well-being of individuals drastically besides compromising the economic stability of nations. Therefore celebrating World Food Safety Day holds great significance.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ” The fifth World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agricultural production, market access, tourism and sustainable development.”
Food safety is the absence – or safe, acceptable levels – of hazards in food that may harm the health of consumers. Food safety has a critical role in ensuring that food stays safe at every stage of the food chain – from production to harvest, processing, storage, and distribution, all the way to preparation and consumption.
In December 2018, cognizant of the urgent need to raise awareness at all levels and to promote and facilitate actions for global food safety, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated 7 June as World Food Safety Day (A/RES/73/250).
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) jointly facilitate the observance of World Food Safety Day, in collaboration with Member States and other relevant organizations.
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