{"id":4524,"date":"2021-01-03T14:36:33","date_gmt":"2021-01-03T13:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/midland-east\/?page_id=4524"},"modified":"2024-06-24T15:33:16","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T14:33:16","slug":"initiatives-projects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/midland-east\/initiatives-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Initiatives, Projects and Blogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>World Food Safety Day (WFSD) 7th<\/sup> June 2024 \u2013 Blog by Kam Britland<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

My association with food has been brought on by my upbringing in the Far East, where food and its preparation played a key role in our culture and society. Very often when people first greet each other they will ask \u201cHave you eaten yet?\u201d as opposed to in the West \u201cHow are you?\u201d. This is crucial to address their wellbeing where poverty and famine during ancient regimes was prominent.<\/span><\/p>\n

In more modern times, we are still being greeted by the same phrases ensuring we have eaten and if not, then followed by an invitation to dine at home or eat out. This is customary to ensure we eat healthily and safely. \u00a0Higher standard of food preparation is now common, except in the most remote villages.<\/span><\/p>\n

This makes me passionate about food, as we look at how Soroptimists globally can improve food safety hygiene in those areas where first world standards do not exist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Educate, Be Alert and Be Aware.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

One of the ways, is to link in World Food Safety Day, initiated by the World Health Organisation. World Food Safety Day was announced as an annual celebration by the United Nations General Assembly on\u00a0June 7, 2018. After this, the global health body decided to continue to celebrate in a big way, so that awareness can be spread across the world.\u00a0 This year, World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is on<\/strong> Fri 7th<\/sup> June 2024<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Every year the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) jointly lead the celebrations of the World Food Safety Day, as we cannot have food security without food safety, since globally, 1 in 10 people are affected by foodborne disease every year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The theme is \u201cFood Safety \u2013 prepare for the unexpected\u201d. \u00a0This campaign will explore issues around unexpected food safety incidents that can occur even when we have played our part to keep food safe.<\/span><\/p>\n

On WFSD we remember that food safety is everyone\u2019s business and that by working together we ensure that our food is safe to eat.\u00a0 But in exceptional circumstances even if we play our part the unexpected can happen. The case in point is the recent Devon outbreak of cryptosporidium which was linked to contaminated water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unexpected food safety events can range from minor to major crises. But even then, there\u2019s always something that can be done to keep food safe. For example, Government and Industries must have plans in place in case of an unexpected event or emergency occurs.\u00a0 \u00a0Ensuring no time is wasted by implementing the necessary actions with rapid exchange of information, effective communication, food safety management planning and decisive actions by food operators. These will help save lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Food Safety awareness<\/strong> \u2013 this refers to how we handle, prepare and store our food in a way to best reduce the risk of an individual becoming sick from foodborne illnesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where we support women and girls in under developing countries, providing information and educating by using methods like: Preserves – jams and pickles, fermentation, smoke, brine and salting. These are popular methods of preserving food where refrigeration is not readily available and to reduce food waste.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>The five elements to safer food are: –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n