World Food Safety Day
World Food Safety Day is June 7. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization which sponsor World Food Safety Day have designated “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected” as the theme for 2024. The purpose of this year’s theme is to draw attention to sudden food safety incidents and underline the importance of being prepared for such incidents, no matter how severe they may be.
Food safety incidents are situations where there is a potential or confirmed health risk associated with food consumption. A food incident can happen, for example, due to accidental contamination, inadequate food processing controls, extreme weather events, or natural disasters. While being ready to manage food safety incidents requires dedicated efforts from policymakers, food safety authorities, farmers and food business operators, consumers also have an active role to play.
Preventing Foodborne Illness
Join FDA on World Food Safety Day as we spread the word about ways to reduce the risks of foodborne illness, also called food poisoning.
Protecting Food and Water During Natural Disasters
With the increasing frequency, intensity and extent of weather events or natural disasters that cause power outages, floods, and disrupt local travel for food shopping and deliveries, it’s vital that consumers know how to protect food and water during hurricanes and other storms. It’s equally important that households assemble emergency food supplies that don’t require refrigeration or cooking to be safe. Check out the Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Supply List.
Know What Foods Have Been Recalled
FDA posts information daily about recalls of FDA-regulated food and dietary supplement products. Sign up for daily email alerts on FDA recalls on FDA’s Email Updates page.
Or go to FoodSafety.gov which provides food safety and food recall information from both FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which regulates most meat and poultry.
Join FDA on World Food Safety Day as we spread the word about ways to prepare for threats to your food safety.
Check Out Food Safe Shopping, Storage and Meal Prep Downloads
Learn:
- What you can do to avoid food poisoning
- How to prevent food poisoning at picnics and barbecues
- How to help people who are older or have weakened immune systems avoid food poisoning
- How labeling helps people with food allergies
Participate in World Food Safety Day
- Spread the word about safe food practices.
- Share food safety messages from @FDAFood on X and FDA on Facebook, and @FDAFoods on Instagram.
- Send a tweet: Send a tweet: Be storm-ready! Get tips from @FDAFood on keeping your food and water safe during weather events and natural disasters: http://www.fda.gov/food
- Use sample social media messages to promote food safety.
- Download and share printable educational materials
- Read the latest FDA food facts for consumers
What is FDA’s role in food safety?
FDA is responsible for promoting and protecting the public's health by ensuring that the nation's food supply is safe, sanitary, wholesome, and honestly labeled. Browse food safety topics.
FDA is looking to the future of food safety once again and taking steps to usher the United States into a new era of smarter food safety.