The Kingdom celebrated its third annual celebration of World Food Safety Day today, with over 200 stakeholders from the agriculture, food, and nutrition sectors gathering in Phnom Penh to mark the occasion on August 21.

This year’s event was led by the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, and centred on this year’s global theme “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected”.

The occasion was supported by a number of international organisations, including the FAO of the UN, the WHO and USAID. It brought together policymakers, development partners, representatives from NGOs and the private sector, as well as teachers, students and farmers.

World Food Safety Day, established by the UN General Assembly in 2018, focuses on raising awareness and promoting action to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks. 

The celebrations in Cambodia highlighted the crucial need for collaboration to ensure safe food access, particularly in unpredictable circumstances. 

“This year’s global theme highlights the importance of being prepared to handle food safety incidents, whether they are local disruptions like power outages or larger international food safety alerts,” explained a joint statement by the organisers.

Ouk Rabun, chairman of the development council, noted that safe food is crucial for the health, livelihood, and well-being of all people, and that we all share responsibility for providing it.

“Promoting food safety is a key factor for a sustainable food system and human capital development, as well as a pre-condition for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” he said, via the statement.

“I call on [all stakeholders, including the public] to participate in strengthening food systems to make food safe and to mainstream food safety into public health policy,” he added.

With young people making up over 60 per cent of Cambodia's population, this year’s food safety day emphasised the importance of engaging young people in food safety issues. 

The event featured keynote addresses, panel discussions with experts and youth leaders, and the “Youth4FoodSafety: A Visual Art Competition”, which provided a platform for young participants to convey key food safety messages through posters, videos, and photos.

According to the joint statement, contaminated food causes illnesses which lead to 420,000 deaths globally each year, as well economic losses estimated at $110 billion, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Tragically, foodborne diseases claim the lives of 125,000 children under the age of five worldwide each year.

Rebekah Bell, FAO representative in Cambodia, also addressed the event. 

“In our interconnected global food supply chain, food safety hazards can rapidly escalate from local issues to international crises, making preparedness more vital than ever,” she said.

“This gathering reflects our shared commitment to food safety and highlights the essential role of collaboration in protecting the health of our food systems and communities. As we advance our missions, it is imperative that we plan, prepare, and act collectively to address the key challenges within Cambodia’s food system, striving for comprehensive and sustainable improvements throughout the entire food value chain,” she added.

Marianna Trias, WHO Representative to Cambodia added, “As we celebrate World Food Safety Day 2024, we're reminded that food safety is a collective effort. It's a shared responsibility and the only way we can guarantee that the food on our plates is safe. However, there are times when, despite our best efforts, the unexpected can still happen and disrupt even the best-laid plans.”

“It's essential for us all to stay prepared, interconnected and flexible in responding to emerging threats. We must collaborate to ensure our surveillance systems are integrated across the health, animal and environment sectors to identify early warnings and prevent outbreaks before they can escalate,” she warned.