admin In a pivotal move toward enhancing food safety worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has joined forces with the European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Foodborne Waterborne and Environmental Disease (CDC DFWED) to establish the WHO Alliance for Food Safety. This initiative, aligned with the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022–2030, seeks to address critical targets in foodborne disease surveillance.
Inception Meeting Set for May 6–8, 2024, in Geneva
Scheduled for its inaugural meeting from May 6–8, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland, and virtually, the WHO Alliance for Food Safety aims to propel the objectives outlined in the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety. Adopted in May 2022, the strategy delineates five key priorities to advance food safety and sets ambitious target goals, including a significant increase in global capacity for surveillance of foodborne diseases and contamination.
Revitalising WHO’s Global Foodborne Infections Network (GFN)
To consolidate collaborative endeavours and bolster capacity-building, the WHO and CDC intend to revive the Global Foodborne Infections Network (GFN).Originally active between 2001 and 2015, GFN served as a vital capacity-building network dedicated to strengthening countries’ ability to detect, control, and prevent foodborne and enteric infections. By tapping into GFN’s existing Collaborating Centers and expanding its network to include institutions with proven leadership and technical competency, the WHO Alliance for Food Safety aspires to achieve impactful strides in global food safety.
Aligning Collaborative Efforts for a Safer Future
Recognising the necessity for concerted efforts across countries, the Alliance seeks to foster collaboration with more than 20 WHO Collaborating Centers. These centres, with terms of reference relevant to food safety strategy, will play a pivotal role in aligning capacity-building activities with the targets outlined in the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety. This strategic alignment underscores a comprehensive approach to reducing foodborne illnesses, mitigating antimicrobial resistance, and fortifying governance and regulations for effective foodborne disease surveillance. The WHO Alliance for Food Safety emerges as a beacon of global collaboration and commitment to creating a safer and healthier food environment for all.
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