World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday highlighted the important role of food regulators in dealing with unsafe food and said that this leads to 600 million cases of foodborne diseases every year and 4,20,000 people lose their lives. In a video message to the second Global Food Regulatory Summit held in Delhi, Ghebreyesus said, “Our food systems are facing many challenges due to climate change, population growth, new technologies, globalization and industrialization.
70 percent children under five years of age
He said that 70 percent of those who lose their lives due to unsafe food are children under five years of age. The WHO chief said, “The food regulatory community has a vital role to play in addressing these global challenges.” He stressed the need for coordinated efforts as more than 30 million people cannot afford nutritious food.
Support needed for safe food
Ghebreyesus also emphasized that cooperation is necessary to ensure safe food for all, as food systems transcend borders and continents. Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Food Minister Prahlad Joshi, Health Secretary and FSSAI Chairman Apurva Chandra, Codex President Steve Wearne and FSSAI CEO G. Kamala were present. Vardhan Rao attended the program. ( PLC & GT )
