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Sanaka Samarasinha Explains the Importance of Food Safety as a Public Health Measure

Sanaka Samarasinha Explains the Importance of Food Safety as a Public Health Measure

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 8, 2024 / Sanaka Samarasinha, a veteran United Nations leader with over 25 years of experience, highlights the importance of food safety as a fundamental public health measure. His extensive career spans over 40 countries and reflects a deep commitment to sustainable development, governance, and human rights, making him a vocal advocate for robust food safety practices.

The Crucial Role of Food Safety

Access to sufficient safe food, Samarasinha says, is essential for sustaining life and promoting good health. He adds that foodborne illnesses, which are often invisible to the naked eye, are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances entering the body through contaminated food or water. These illnesses, Samarasinha notes, pose a significant threat to public health, with an estimated 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually. From his experience, food safety ensures that food remains safe at every stage of the food chain-from production to harvest, processing, storage, distribution, preparation, and consumption.

The Alarming Impact of Foodborne Illnesses

Sanaka Samarasinha's take on the need to prioritize food security is not without basis. It is backed by solid statistics on the many illnesses that can be attributed directly to unsafe food. Unsafe food is a threat to human health and economies, disproportionately affecting vulnerable and marginalized populations, including women, children, those affected by conflict, and migrants.

Data shows that about 420,000 people worldwide die each year after consuming contaminated food, with children under the age of five bearing 40% of this burden, resulting in approximately 125,000 deaths annually. These figures, Samarasinha says, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive food safety measures to protect public health.

World Food Safety Day: Raising Awareness and Inspiring Action

During the World Food Safety Day, observed on June 7, Sanaka Samarasinha took the opportunity to draw attention to the urgent need for food safety. He aimed to inspire action in preventing, detecting, and managing foodborne risks. Facilitated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Safety Day serves as an opportunity to strengthen efforts to ensure food safety. Samarasinha reminded the world of the need to mainstream food safety in the public agenda and reduce the global burden of foodborne diseases.

Everyone Has a Role in Food Safety

The slogan for World Food Safety Day, "Food safety, everyone's business," he said, emphasizes that everyone involved in the food chain-from growers, processors, and transporters to sellers, preparers, and consumers-has a role to play in maintaining food safety. He added that compliance with global food standards, establishing effective regulatory food control systems, providing access to clean water, applying good agricultural practices, and strengthening food safety management systems by food business operators are crucial steps in ensuring food safety.

Food Safety as a Shared Responsibility

Samarasinha also took the opportunity on World Food Safety Day to remind world leaders that food safety is a shared responsibility that involves governments, producers, and consumers. He said governments are tasked with creating and enforcing food safety regulations, while producers must adhere to best practices in food production and handling. Consumers, Sanaka Samarasinha noted, also play a vital role by making informed choices and practicing safe food handling at home. To quote him, "Through collective efforts, foodborne illnesses can be significantly reduced, improving public health outcomes globally."

The Global Effort Towards Food Safety

Improving food safety, Samarasinha said, requires a concerted global effort. Through initiatives like World Food Safety Day, WHO and FAO should work tirelessly to mainstream food safety in the public agenda and reduce the burden of foodborne diseases globally. He said that by raising awareness and promoting action-oriented campaigns, these organizations can ensure that food safety becomes a priority for all nations.

Sanaka Samarasinha's Commitment to Food Safety

Sanaka Samarasinha's career has been marked by his ability to navigate complex political landscapes and drive transformative initiatives. During his tenure as the UN Resident Coordinator in the Pacific (2018-2023), he oversaw 31 UN agencies and responded to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership in mobilizing resources and conducting high-level political dialogues resulted in significant advancements in sustainable development across the region, including efforts to improve food security and safety.

In Belarus, from 2013 to 2018, Samarasinha facilitated groundbreaking dialogues on democratic governance and human rights, contributing to establishing national action plans and ratifying fundamental conventions. His innovative campaigns, such as the #UN70BelarusExpress, drove local ownership of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostered inclusive development, including food safety and public health.

Contact:

Media Contact:
Sanaka Samarasinha
sanakasamarasinha@mail.com

SOURCE: Sanaka Samarasinha



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