World Food Safety Day: Statement by Commissioner Stella Kyriakides

On the occasion of World Food Safety Day today, 7 June 2021, Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides i made the following statement:

"Today we celebrate World Food Safety Day, a day that illustrates how important safe and nutritious food is for the whole world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only highlighted the importance of strong health crisis preparedness and prevention mechanisms and supply chains that ensure continued movement of essential goods, but also the crucial importance of universally accessible and affordable safe food. Safe and nutritious food strengthens our immune systems and protects from illness. Safe food is key for food security.

This past year has opened up for the opportunity to build robust food systems for the future. Systems that can contribute to support a green and sustainable recovery from COVID. In the EU i we now have a long-term strategic vision for how to transform the way we produce, distribute and consume food - Europe's Farm to Fork Strategy. It is one of the key tools we have at our hands to deliver on our transformative ambition. Farm to Fork is a unique opportunity for change. And the safety of the food we produce and eat around the world is the starting point.

Our food policy is built on the highest food safety standards to protect consumers. We have strong legislation and a solid control and traceability system covering all stages of food production, processing and distribution. The EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed has for over 40 years now ensured that urgent alerts for food and feed risks are acted upon immediately. We are proud that our high level of protection is often perceived as the golden standard.

We will keep promoting these standards globally by working hand in hand with International organisations, such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation. The safety of our food is more important than ever before and I am looking forward to the UN Food Systems Summit this September and to give my strongest support for transformative changes in the way the world produces and consumes food."