Food safety is an issue of growing importance due to several worldwide trends in food system.
The growing movement of people, live animals, and food products across borders, rapid urbanization in developing countries, changes in food handling, and the emergence of new pathogen or antibiotic resistance in pathogen all contribute to the increasing food safety risks. The liberalization trade and the growing number of imported foodstuffs too increase the food safety risks.
Inadequate food safety is a significant contribute to the burden of disease in developing countries and should be addressed as the food system develops and along with related investments in public health. Basic sanitation and water services may be a prerequisite for addressing many food safety hazards.
Food safety is one of many issues in developing fresh food product exports, which account do about half of all agricultural exports from developing countries.
Such exports can play a role in rural poverty alleviation, but will not be the only source of increased income in rural areas.
The industrialization of agricultural production, mass production and increase in the number of food service establishment, also tourism, urbanization with subsequent changes in lifestyles, food consumption pattern and food preparation practices will require high level of food safety standards.
Thus, food safety is a significant issue for public health and for export markets in developing countries.
Setting priorities for investments in food safety will require careful evaluation.
Why we need food safety standards?
