World Food Programme discusses food safety in humanitarian activities

12/06/2020

To mark the second World Food Safety Day, World Food Programme (WFP) employees gathered on 4 June 2020 for an online discussion about “Ensuring food safety across the humanitarian pipeline”. Led by a panel of industry experts, the event tracked food safety activities and achievements, answering questions pertinent to WFP’s work, such as:

  • Why is food safety important for one and all?
  • What is the relevance of food safety in the context of humanitarian food aid?
  • Why do we need standards?
  • How are we supporting local governments?

The meeting opened with a message from WFP’s Deputy Executive Director, Amir Abulla, and Jennifer Rosenzweig, Chief of Knowledge Management of the WFP Nutrition Division, moderated the discussion. The panelists were:

  • Erica Sheward, Director, Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
  • Abigail Stevenson, Director, Mars, Global Food Safety Center - Beijing, China
  • Markus Lipp, Head, Food Safety and Quality Unit, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • Rufino Perez, Senior Food Technologist, Food for Peace Office, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
  • Jean-Pierre Leroy, Chief, Food Safety & Quality Unit, Supply Chain Division, WFP

Key takeaways from the discussion:

  • Food safety forms an integral link between SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
  • It is not safe, if it is not food
  • There is no food security without food safety (FAO)

In addition to this event, organized by the Food Safety & Quality Unit, WFP country and regional offices took part in various World Food Safety Day observances around the world.

 

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