Over 5,450 Alerts for Food Products with Safety Risks and 1.5 Million Deaths Annually Caused by Unsafe Food – On World Food Safety Day , Stay Informed with InfoCons !
Every year, on June 7, World Food Safety Day is observed. Established by the United Nations and jointly coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the day aims to raise awareness about the prevention, detection, and management of foodborne risks throughout the entire food chain, from “farm to fork”.
This year’s theme, “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere”, highlights how data on illnesses and deaths can guide concrete and effective actions. The central message of the campaign is that no one should become ill because of the food they eat, and that foodborne diseases are, to a large extent, preventable.
ATTENTION! Over the past year, more than 5,450 alerts concerning food products presenting various risks to consumers have been identified. These alerts are available through the InfoCons European Consumer Protection Solution.
Among the food product categories most frequently reported are fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and derived products, food supplements and fortified foods, poultry meat and poultry products, cereals and bakery products, herbs and spices, meat and meat products, fish and fish products, confectionery, milk and dairy products, cocoa, coffee and tea, prepared foods and snacks, crustaceans and molluscs, as well as numerous other categories of food products intended for consumption.
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What is the impact of unsafe food on global public health?
According to information published by the World Health Organization on food safety, unsafe food – containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances – causes more than 200 diseases. The global scale of the issue is significant:
The Global Burden of Foodborne Diseases
An estimated 866 million people – nearly 1 in 9 individuals worldwide – fall ill each year after consuming contaminated food, while 1.5 million people lose their lives annually. Globally, foodborne diseases generate economic losses estimated at approximately US$ 310 billion per year through reduced productivity and their impact on public health.
Impact on Children
The burden of diseases associated with unsafe food disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, particularly young children.
Although children under the age of five represent only about 9% of the global population, they account for nearly one third of all foodborne disease cases and face a risk of illness almost three times higher than that of older children and adults. According to World Health Organization estimates, approximately 143,000 deaths among children under five years of age were associated with unsafe food and foodborne diseases in 2021.
Food safety, nutrition, and food security are closely interconnected, and protecting the youngest members of society depends on effective prevention, control, and education measures throughout the entire food chain, from production and processing to consumption.
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InfoCons Recommendations for Consumers to Reduce Food Waste
Food safety and food waste reduction go hand in hand: proper storage and handling of food help keep products safe for longer while also reducing the amount of food discarded. Globally, approximately 1 billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022 alone, representing nearly a quarter of all food available for consumption. Here are some practical recommendations:
- Plan your shopping and meals. Make a list, check existing supplies (refrigerator, freezer, pantry), and avoid duplicate purchases, especially for perishable products.
- Estimate portions correctly. Calculate quantities according to the number of people to avoid preparing excessive amounts of food.
- Store food properly. Use glass or stainless-steel containers, avoid keeping fruits and vegetables in tightly sealed plastic bags, and label products stored in the freezer.
- Read labels carefully and understand date markings. “Use by” indicates a food safety limit (for perishable products such as meat, fish, and salads), while “Best before” refers to quality. Approximately 40% of European citizens confuse these two indications.
- Reuse leftovers safely. Consume leftovers within the following days, store them at appropriate temperatures, and incorporate them into new meals.
- Compost what cannot be consumed. Organic waste that can no longer be used may be transformed into compost, a beneficial solution for soil health.
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The Contribution of the InfoCons Consumer Protection Solution to Reducing Food Waste
InfoCons provides consumers with the Free InfoCons Consumer Protection Solution, a tool that facilitates rapid access to product information and supports informed purchasing and consumption decisions.
Through the InfoCons Consumer Protection Solution, consumers can:
- Scan product barcodes and access information from a database containing more than 3.5 million products, including ingredients, food additives, allergens, and sugar, salt, and calorie content;
- Compare up to 10 food products simultaneously in order to make informed purchasing decisions;
- Use the “Saved Products” section to organize shopping, plan meals, and manage food consumption more efficiently;
- Check, in real time, alerts concerning food and non-food products that have been withdrawn from the market or notified at European level;
- Customize the information displayed according to their own dietary preferences and needs.
In the context of World Food Safety Day, access to accurate and up-to-date information contributes to responsible consumption habits, reduces food waste, and strengthens consumer protection.
Signature: InfoCons Communication Department
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