EXPLAINER: What you need to know about World Food Safety Day

World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is celebrated every year on June 7.

It was established in December 2018 by the United Nations, following a joint proposal by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation.

The first observance took place on June 7, 2019.

The United Nations created this day to remind everyone how important it is to keep our food safe.

This year's theme is "Prepare for the unexpected."

Per this year's theme, WHO notes that preparedness is key when the unexpected happens.

It aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage food-borne risks; contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. 

It also aims to emphasise that food safety is a collective responsibility where everyone from producers to consumers needs to play their part.

"More than 600 million people fall ill and 420 000 die annually from eating contaminated food," WHO says.

"These illnesses and these deaths are largely preventable if food safety is prioritised along the food chain, from the producer to the consumer."

To address food safety concerns, WHO says governments shouldcommit to developing or updating national food safety emergency response plans, strengthen national food control systems,increase surveillance and coordination capacities andimprove communication with food businesses and the general public.

"Food businesses should also improve food safety management plans, work collaboratively with each other and improve the way they communicate with consumers," it notes.

"Consumers should ensure they know how to report or respond to a food safety incident and ensure they understand the implications of the unexpected at home, and how to react." 

It recommends that there needs to be national food safety emergency response plans and strong surveillance systems to manage food safety events.

It further notes that food businesses should have a management and response plan in place to facilitate immediate action in case of a food safety incident.