BSI marks the first ever World Food Safety Day

BSI, the business improvement company, welcomes the first ever World Food Safety Day, an initiative of the United Nations supported by the World Health Organization.

World Food Safety Day raises awareness of the threat of unsafe food to human health and society. It aims to draw public attention and direct efforts to stop the roughly 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses that occur annually.

Every year one in ten people will fall ill from foodborne illnesses and poor food safety remains a cause of death for millions around the world The food and beverage processing industry is the second largest manufacturing industry in Canada in terms of value of production with shipments worth $105.5 billion in 2014; it accounts for 17% of total manufacturing shipments and for 2% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It’s the largest manufacturing employer and provides employment for 246,000 Canadians.¹ That’s equivalent to the population of San Jose, California. Food is a vital part of the global economy and economically represents 10% of global GDP.

The traditional food safety professionals working to prevent the 400 thousand deaths that result annually from foodborne illness make up a critical part of the global food supply chain. However, part of embedding a food safety culture is empowering every person who works in food sector organizations—from farmers harvesting crops and drivers transporting goods to CEOs in the boardroom and those serving in restaurants—to be responsible for food safety. This means that even a ‘simple’ store-bought sandwich can involve the diligence and commitment of hundreds of food safety professionals with varying levels of contact with or impact on production or delivery.

David Horlock, Managing Director of Global Food at BSI commented, “As we celebrate the first ever World Food Safety Day, it is important to credit those at the front line that are keeping us safe. By addressing the risks associated with food storage, preparation and handling, food safety professionals save countless lives worldwide every single day. The world deserves food that is safe, sustainable and socially responsible, and that means professional standards being upheld across every link of the global food supply chain.”

BSI is a leading food safety certification provider with extensive auditing for a wide range of food safety standards across the entire food and beverage supply chain – including Global Food Safety Initiative recognized standards.

BSI services for the food sector include certification, training, assessment and supply chain solutions. BSI has over 2,800 food and agri-food standards in its portfolio, serving more than 80,000 clients worldwide.

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About BSI

BSI is the business standards company that enables organizations to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence. For over a century BSI has championed what good looks like and driven best practice in organizations around the world. Working with over 86,000 clients across 193 countries, it is a truly international business with skills and experience across a number of sectors including automotive, aerospace, built environment, food, and healthcare. Through its expertise in Standards Development and Knowledge Solutions, Assurance and Professional Services, BSI improves business performance to help clients grow sustainably, manage risk and ultimately be more resilient.

About food safety at BSI

BSI is a leading food safety certification provider with extensive auditing for a wide range of food safety standards across the entire food and beverage supply chain – including Global Food Safety Initiative recognized standards.

BSI services for the food sector include certification, training, assessment and supply chain solutions. BSI has over 2,800 food and agri-food standards in its portfolio, to support the industry and the challenges faced by the supply chain including food safety, food security, sustainability, land usage, energy, water and corporate social responsibility issues.

Media inquiries:

Chad Quinn

BSI

Tel: 571-758-8638 Email: pressoffice@bsigroup.com