Food security is built on four main pillars: availability, access, utilization, and stability. However, even when food is available and accessible, unsafe food compromises its utilization. Contaminated food can cause illness, malnutrition, and even death, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 600 million people fall ill every year after consuming contaminated food, with 420,000 deaths as a result. This not only affects public health but also undermines economic stability and agricultural productivity.

The world unites to celebrate World Food Day on October 16 annually, an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to building a world free from hunger and malnutrition. “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”, the theme for this year’s celebration, draws attention to a vital yet often overlooked connection, the link between food security and food safety. It not only highlights the urgent need to transform global food systems but also underscores the critical role of international collaboration in ensuring food safety and fair trade.

At the heart of these efforts stands the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), a vital alliance shaping the standards that safeguard what we eat. Through Codex, countries small and large, developed and developing, work together to build a common framework for food safety and quality. Hand in hand alliances and partnership are built among national governments, scientific bodies, food producers, consumers and consumer advocates and international organizations, fostering a shared responsibility to manage global food safety and trade challenges.

While food security ensures that all people have access to sufficient, nutritious food, food safety guarantees that this food is free from contamination and safe to eat. Without food safety, there can be no true food security. In a world where food production systems are expanding to meet the needs of a growing population, ensuring food safety has become increasingly complex. Climate change, urbanization, and global trade all influence how food is produced, processed, transported, and consumed. Each stage presents potential risks for contamination, from pesticide residues and microbial hazards to improper storage and handling.

Participating in the development of food standards, in the collaborative approach of Codex, provides small economies access to international expertise, capacity building and technical support, facilitating participation in fair trade and ensuring consumer protection. This valuable alliance in achieving food security embracing food safety, requires strengthening of every link in the food chain, a “farm to fork” and “boat to throat” approach. One that requires strong food control systems focused on strict hygiene and traceability standards.

The full strength of the food control system depends on safe food handling practices of consumers. As a consumer you play a critical role in maintaining the safety and quality of the food purchased. Practice safe food handling, separate raw and cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination, cook foods to the correct internal temperatures and store foods appropriately, keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. You play a critical role in the prevention of foodborne illnesses.

On this World Food Day, as let us aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of No Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation which will lead to achievement of Good Health.   Remembering that food security is not only having enough to eat, it is about having a safe, nutritious and sustainable food supply for all.