April 7 is World Health Day, established by the United Nations World
Health Organization to raise awareness on key global health issues, by uniting governments, world leaders, as well as grassroots organizations in a focused effort to create a healthier world. The initiative for WHD 2015 is “Food Safety – From Farm to Plate.” This day focuses on demonstrating the importance of food safety along the whole length of the food chain in a globalised world, from production and transport to preparation and consumption.
The majority of people will experience a food or waterborne disease at some point in their lives. This highlights the importance of making sure the food we eat is not contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses, toxins and chemicals. Over the past half century, the process by which food gets from the farm to the plate has changed drastically. Food contamination that occurs in one place may affect the health of consumers living on the other side of the planet.
This means that everyone along the production chain, from producer to consumer, must observe safe food handling practices.
Some Facts about the effects of bad food: Unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances, causes more than 200 diseases – ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. Foodborne and waterborne diarrhoeal diseases kill an estimated 2 million people annually, including many children. Foodborne diseases impede socioeconomic development by straining health care systems, and harming national economies, tourism and trade. It is extremely important to eat not just healthy but also hygienic food. doing so will reduce the risk of diseases caused by contaminated food. - Kaustubh Mayekar
