Consumers have been urged to keep food safe before, during and after emergencies such as floods and power outages.
Public Health PS Mary Muthoni said food should always be covered to maintain freshness and protect it from contamination.
"Consumers should practice safe food handling at home and follow WHO’s five keys to safer food: keep clean, separate raw and cooked items, cook thoroughly, maintain safe food temperatures and use safe water and raw materials," she said.
Muthoni spoke during the World Food Safety Day commemoration in Nairobi.
"Unsafe food creates a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, while foodborne diseases impede socioeconomic development by straining healthcare systems and harming national economies, tourism and trade," she said.
Contaminated food, harboring harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances, contribute to more than 200 different diseases.
Globally, approximately one in 10 individuals, experience foodborne illnesses annually.
“Moreover, unsafe food reduces nutrient bioavailability, significantly affecting vulnerable populations such as infants, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals and the elderly, thereby worsening malnutrition,” Muthoni said.
Major food safety concern in Kenya is aflatoxin contamination in cereals, legumes, milk and other dairy products.
Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables and veterinary drug residues in foods of animal origin also pose significant risks, contributing to antimicrobial resistance in consumers.
Another challenge is food adulteration, such as using hydrogen peroxide and formalin in milk to extend shelf life and the use of trans-fats, which raises cholesterol levels and increases the risks of type II diabetes and heart disease.
“These issues significantly impact both consumer health and economic prosperity. Despite stringent precautions, unforeseen food safety events can still occur, from minor mishaps to major crises,” Muthoni said.
This year's World Food Safety theme was “Prepare for the Unexpected.”
“It is an urgent call towards a world where, despite diligent efforts to maintain food safety, unexpected food safety incidents can transpire,” said Kenya Bureau of Standards managing director Esther Ngari,
“Together, we have a responsibility to prepare, an opportunity to explore, understand and champion the critical role of safe food in preserving lives and creating a safer, healthier world.”
The day is commemorated on June 7 to draw attention to food safety incidents.
In the face of an ever-globalising food supply chain, we confront new and complex challenges.
According to WHO, more than 1 in 10 people fall sick each year from foodborne illness, with 420,000 people tragically losing their lives globally.
Children under five carry 40 per cent of the foodborne disease burden, resulting in 125,000 deaths annually.
“These startling numbers underline the gravity of our every step in food safety. It brings into sharp focus the urgency of our cause. Food safety is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity, or perhaps a right. Our mission is clear: Safety must permeate every link in the food chain. From farm to fork, safety must be the norm and every stakeholder's duty to understand and apply good food safety practices,” Ngari said.
She stressed the importance of producing, processing, transporting, marketing, storing and cooking food safely.
“Even in eating, safety must be the prime taste. It’s on us to make every bite a safe delight and it is time we turned insight into impact,” Ngari said.
She said there is need to enhance consumer food safety knowledge to respond effectively to unexpected situations.
“We can slash the risk of foodborne illnesses by raising our awareness. No matter your role, be ready for the unexpected. Together, whether as individuals at home or professionals in the food industry. I urge you to bolster your knowledge and practices to avert food safety crises effectively,” Ngari said.
Rebecca Amukhoye, CEO of Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust said this year's theme of preparing for the unexpected is timely, especially as the country recovers from the recent floods in April and May.
She said food safety is fundamental to public health, economic development and food security.
“However, the global food system faces numerous challenges, including foodborne illnesses, contamination incidents and food fraud,” Amukhoye said.