Steatement on the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2025
This statement highlights how the WHO Alliance for Food Safety is translating science into action through collaboration, innovation, and commitment to safer food for all.
What is the WHO Alliance for Food Safety?
The WHO Alliance for Food Safety is a network of WHO Collaborating Centres (WHO-CCs) and other partners to collaborate, share knowledge and coordinate efforts on matters related to the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030, in particular, related to foodborne disease surveillance and food contamination monitoring.
Main objectives include:
- creating an enabling environment for multisectoral coordination in food safety surveillance and monitoring;
- advocating for strong legal frameworks supporting surveillance and monitoring efforts;
- building capacity in public health, animal health, and food safety laboratories;
- generating and sharing high-quality data and information; and
- fostering an exchange of best practices and lessons learned across Alliance members.
WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2023
WHO/Katherine Oliveira de Matos
Participants at the Alliance Inception meeting at WHO in May 2024.
Participants at the Alliance Inception meeting at WHO in May 2024.
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Credits
Feature news and resources
The importance of foodborne disease surveillance
Did you know that foodborne disease surveillance is about so much more than simply counting cases? It’s the foundation for protecting public health, identifying risks, and driving policy changes to keep food safe.
Spotlight on the new WHO Alliance for Food Safety: CAC74 Side Event
Did you miss the side event which showcased the WHO Alliance for Food Safety during the 47th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission? Attendees gained insights into the Alliance’s mission, vision, goals and objectives.
WHO’s framework for strengthening surveillance of and response to foodborne diseases
Have you read the WHO manuals on strengthening surveillance of and response to foodborne diseases? These manuals describe how countries can strengthen their current foodborne disease surveillance and response activities and integrate them into existing national surveillance and response systems required by the International Health Regulations (IHR).
Inception Meeting of the WHO Alliance for Food Safety: May 2024
WHO launched the Alliance for Food Safety in May 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. Representatives from WHO collaborating centres and other partners from around the world gathered at WHO HQ to launch the Alliance and plan the next steps.
Membership
Why join?
Joining the WHO Alliance for Food Safety connects you with a global network of experts, amplifies your organization's visibility, and provides opportunities to influence food safety policies and advocacy efforts. Members collaborate on strengthening food safety systems, share knowledge, and gain recognition for their contributions.
Who can join?
WHO departments and offices; WHO Collaborating Centres; Government institutions with a mandate for public health, food safety, animal health or environmental health; United Nations organizations; Intergovernmental organizations; Nongovernmental organizations; Academic institutions; Philanthropic foundations.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for membership in the WHO Alliance for Food Safety, entities must contribute to the advancement of public health or food safety and align with the objectives, vision, and goals of the Alliance. They should have at least 3 years of proven experience working internationally in the field of food safety or foodborne disease surveillance. Entities must also have an established structure, a constitutive act, and accountability mechanisms.
What is the role of members?
Members should support the purpose, goals, objectives, guiding principles, work, and activities of the Alliance, and attend and actively participate in the Annual General Meetings, working group meetings to which they are members, and any other relevant ad hoc meetings, acting in the best interest of public health and in alignment with WHO policies.
When and how to join?
The membership application process is open and interested entities can apply throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed by the secretariat in accordance with the required due diligence process. New member orientation webinars will be organized as needed.
What are the terms of reference?
The terms of reference (TORs) outline the Alliance's purpose, objectives, governance structure, membership criteria, roles, responsibilities, and operational procedures. They provide clarity on expectations, participation requirements, decision-making processes, and accountability mechanisms to ensure effective collaboration and alignment with WHO policies.
Spreading the word
Are you sharing Alliance-related content through your social media networks? Consider adding the following #hashtags:
#FoodSafetyAlliance
#WHOGSFS2030
#WorldFoodSafetyDay