MBABANE – The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has called for stronger food safety systems and greater collaboration among governments, businesses, consumers and development partners to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases and ensure safe food for all.
Speaking in commemoration of World Food Safety Day, FAO Assistant representative Howard Mbuyisa said food safety remained a critical public health, economic and development issue both globally and in Eswatini.
“As FAO, we are pleased to join the people of Eswatini and the global community in reaffirming a simple but powerful message: Food safety is everyone’s business,” said Mbuyisa.
He said safe food protects health, supports good nutrition, strengthens livelihoods and builds trust in agrifood systems. Mbuyisa highlighted the significant impact of unsafe food, citing figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“According to the WHO 2026 food safety fact sheet, around 866 million people – almost one in nine globally – fall ill each year after eating contaminated food, and 1.52 million people die,” he said. He added that unsafe food costs the global economy an estimated US$310 billion (about R5.10 trillion) annually through lost productivity and medical expenses, while children under the age of five remained among the most affected. “Safe food is, therefore, not only a public health issue; it is also essential for food security, nutrition, livelihoods and sustainable development,” he said.
This year’s World Food Safety Day theme is ‘From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere’.
Mbuyisa said the theme underscored the importance of translating scientific evidence into practical interventions.
“This year’s theme reminds us that data and science must lead to action. As FAO Director General Dr Qu Dongyu has emphasised, data alone is not enough; we must turn evidence into practical solutions that help countries identify priorities, target interventions and use limited resources effectively,” he said.
He noted that FAO continued to support countries worldwide in strengthening food control systems, improving food safety governance, enhancing laboratory and inspection capacity, and aligning national systems with international standards. Mbuyisa said FAO’s partnership with WHO and the Codex Alimentarius Commission plays a key role in ensuring that food safety measures are science-based, protect consumers and support fair food trade practices.
He further stressed the importance of robust food safety systems across Africa, saying they were vital for protecting consumers, reducing preventable illnesses and unlocking trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Turning to Eswatini, Mbuyisa said FAO is working closely with government and stakeholders to strengthen food safety governance and regulatory systems.
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