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Ref.: C.L.21.2026
World Food Safety Day, 7 June 2026
The Directors-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) present their compliments to Member
States and Associate members and have the honour to inform that World Food Safety Day,
adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018, will be celebrated on
7 June 2026, coinciding with the global release of new estimates on the burden of foodborne
diseases.
During the week leading up to World Food Safety Day, WHO will release the global,
regional and first-ever national estimates of the burden of foodborne diseases covering the period
2000–2021. These estimates will provide updated evidence to inform global, regional and
national food safety programmes. The report will also include new estimates of the economic
impact of foodborne diseases. Reliable data on health and economic burden will provide the
foundation for evidence-based policies and coordinated multisectoral action.
Measuring the national impact of foodborne hazards allows to identify and rank priority
risks, allocate resources more effectively and target interventions where they will have the
greatest impact. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration across sectors. Food safety
depends on coordinated action by health, agriculture, trade, environment and consumer
protection authorities.
Substantial knowledge on solutions already exists. The Codex Alimentarius, the
international food code developed by FAO and WHO, provides standards, guidelines and codes
of practice that protect consumer health and facilitate fair practices in the food trade. These
standards—continuously updated as new evidence becomes available—offer practical guidance
for managing food safety risks. Other solutions include stronger national food control systems,
practical guidance for safe food handling and healthy diets, risk-based regulatory interventions,
science-based regulatory approaches, audience-appropriate food safety risk communication,
multi-stakeholder engagement, interministerial coordination and more.
The global release of the new estimates on the burden of foodborne disease, on the
occasion of World Food Safety Day will therefore provide both a better understanding of the
challenge and a powerful impetus for action. Together, data and solutions can guide countries in
prioritizing risks, strengthening food safety systems and protecting the health of their
populations.
Page 2
C.L.21.2026
WHO and FAO encourage Members to mark World Food Safety Day 2026 and to make
use of the forthcoming data to support national food safety actions and policies.
The Directors-General of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations take this opportunity to renew to Member States and
Associate Members the assurance of their highest consideration.
GENEVA, 2 June 2026
Saatja: "ola" <
[email protected]>
Teema: WHO: C.L.21.2026 (World Food Safety Day)
Kuupäev: 2026-06-02 09:58
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
Dear Member States of the World Health Organization,
Please find attached, in the six official languages, C.L.21.2026 regarding
the “World Food Safety Day”.
For further information, kindly contact <mailto:
[email protected]>
[email protected]
Best regards,
Department of Governing Bodies
World Health Organization
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