ISLAMABAD (APP) - President Asif Ali Zardari encouraged all stakeholders to promote safe food practices and strengthen compliance with food safety standards across the entire food chain and said through shared responsibility, informed action and sustained commitment it could be ensured that safe, nutritious and wholesome food was available to all.
In a message on World Food Safety observed on 7 June 2026, he said, “I join the international community in highlighting the importance of safe food for public health, food security and sustainable development.”
“Proclaimed by the United Nations in 2018, this observance is led jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to promote awareness and action on food safety worldwide,” he added.
He said, “The theme for World Food Safety Day 2026, ‘From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere’, draws attention to the role of science, data and evidence-based interventions in reducing the burden of foodborne diseases and improving food safety outcomes. It reminds us that informed decisions and practical solutions are essential to protecting people from preventable health risks.”
“Food safety affects the daily lives of millions of people. Every family expects that the food purchased from markets, served in restaurants, prepared in schools or consumed at home is safe and fit to eat. When food safety standards are not maintained, the consequences can include illness, lost income, additional healthcare costs and disruption to education and work. Protecting consumers from these risks is therefore both a public health responsibility and a matter of public trust,” he remarked.
The President said, “Ensuring safe food requires the collective efforts of governments, regulatory authorities, producers, processors, transporters, retailers, food handlers and consumers. Safe food protects health, strengthens consumer confidence, supports livelihoods and contributes to economic growth. It also helps reduce the burden of foodborne diseases, particularly among vulnerable groups including children, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.”
“In an increasingly interconnected food system, effective food safety measures must be based on science, transparency and internationally recognised standards. Strengthening inspection systems, laboratory capacity, traceability, surveillance mechanisms and hygiene practices remains essential for reducing risks and safeguarding public health. Continued cooperation among all relevant institutions is necessary to ensure that food safety standards are effectively implemented and maintained,” he noted.
He said, “World Food Safety Day also highlights the contribution of food safety to sustainable development, public health and trade. Investment in food safety infrastructure, awareness programmes and modern regulatory systems can help build stronger and more resilient food systems while enhancing consumer protection.”
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also called upon the federal and provincial governments, farmers, universities, research institutions, private sector, civil society, media organizations, development partners, and every citizen to play their part in building a safe, resilient, and nutritious food system.
In a message on World Food Safety Day observed on June 7, he said, “Pakistan joins the international community in reaffirming its commitment to the shared and meaningful goal of ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and wholesome food, free from contamination and foodborne diseases.”
“Every individual involved in agriculture and food systems, including farmers, livestock breeders, fishers, researchers, and food industry stakeholders should play a vital role in safeguarding food safety. Today, we also pay tribute to their invaluable contributions and dedicated services,” he added.
He said, “World Food Safety Day is observed under the auspices of the United Nations and jointly led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The day highlights the importance of preventing, detecting, and effectively managing foodborne risks and diseases.”
“This year’s theme, ‘From Burden to Solutions: Safe Food Everywhere’ underscores the need to translate scientific evidence into practical solutions that ensure safe food for all,” he remarked.
He said, “This year also marks the publication of a comprehensive report by the World Health Organization presenting updated global, regional, and national estimates of foodborne diseases, related deaths, and their impact on public health.”
“The report’s findings are alarming. Each year, an estimated 866 million people worldwide fall ill due to contaminated food, while nearly 1.5 million lose their lives. In addition, unsafe food results in reduced productivity, rising healthcare expenditures, economic losses, social challenges, and declining tourism and trade,” he noted.
He said, “Such credible and comprehensive analyses of the global burden of foodborne diseases help countries formulate evidence-based policies, allocate resources effectively, and prioritize interventions aimed at protecting public health.”
“Addressing foodborne illnesses and malnutrition caused by unsafe food is a shared responsibility that requires collective action,” he mentioned.
He said, “Pakistan is blessed with fertile land, hardworking farmers, and abundant agricultural resources and potential. However, our agriculture sector faces a range of challenges, including limited research capacity, climate change, water scarcity, population growth, and evolving food consumption patterns. Government is pursuing integrated and forward-looking strategies to address these challenges.”
“Let us renew our commitment to valuing and protecting food and natural resources so that Pakistan may secure a safe, nutritious, sustainable, and self-reliant food future for generations to come,” he concluded.