NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources observes ‘World Food Safety Day’ on June 7.

On December 20, 2018, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 7 ‘World Food Safety Day,’ under the UN theme, “Food Safety … Everyone’s Business.”  For the first time, in 2019, the world speaks with one voice to make food safe, BAHFSA Executive Director, Christopher Worrell said at a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, June 4, 2019.

The Food Safety and Quality Unit of the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA), Mr. Worrell said, will celebrate this significant milestone in the global food industry.  World Food Safety Day brings greater focus on the best practices that should be employed at all stages of the food chain: farmers, processors, distributors and all persons who come in contact with food.

To ensure food is safe, BAHFSA is committed to strengthening its regulatory, scientific and technological capacities to address the rising concerns of food safety, and as much as possible, help to mitigate the health risks due to foodborne pathogens.  Mr. Worrell said safe food equates to good food nutrition and strengthens food security; food security, in turn, ensures that food is accessible and this creates a sustainable system that promotes economic development.

BAHFSA will host the official ceremony to recognize World Food Safety Day June 5^th followed by a Food Safety Seminar at the National Training Agency on Gladstone Rd., from 9-4pm.  Keynote speaker will be Dr. Esther de Gourville, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Representative for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.  Various presenters will share and discuss how private and public relationships can be forged to address food safety issues. BAHFSA’s theme for this event is, “Food Safety Matters, Every Day.”