Food Safety: A Shared Responsibility Backed by Science

DR. JOHN JO VARGHESE

Every year on June 7th, the world observes World Food Safety Day to spotlight the vital role food safety plays in public health and well-being. The 2025 theme, "Food Safety: Science in Action," aptly emphasizes the critical role science plays in ensuring that our food remains safe from farm to fork. In a country as vast, diverse, and populous as India — where food is not only sustenance but a cultural cornerstone — ensuring food safety is not just a public health goal, but a national imperative and a shared responsibility.

Food safety is inseparable from food security and public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 600 million people fall ill every year due to foodborne illnesses, resulting in 420,000 deaths — many of which are preventable. The burden is disproportionately borne by low- and middle-income countries, especially among children and economically vulnerable groups. In India, where informal food supply chains dominate and access to health infrastructure is uneven, foodborne illnesses translate directly into lost productivity, rising healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life.

Contaminated food can harbor harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals, leading to over 200 known diseases — from simple diarrheal conditions to long-term afflictions like cancer. Fortunately, most foodborne illnesses can be prevented with the right knowledge and action. This is where science steps in — providing the insights, tools, and practices to detect, mitigate, and prevent contamination across every link in the food supply chain.

From microbiology and toxicology to climate science and data analytics, science informs every aspect of food safety — from understanding pathogen behavior to tracing contamination sources. In India, institutions like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Spices Board and leading agricultural universities conduct critical research to identify hazards, assess risk, and support policy-making with evidence-based recommendations.

Globally, organizations such as the Joint FAO/WHO Food Safety Scientific Advice Programme establish international standards that help harmonize regulations and promote safe global food trade. These scientific frameworks empower countries like India to build robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

However, science is not effective unless its benefits reach people on the ground. From soil to stomach, food passes through many hands — farmers, processors, transporters, retailers, cooks, and finally, consumers. At every stage, science-backed interventions help reduce risks. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), hygienic handling, safe storage, proper processing, and careful cooking all stem from scientific research. For example, the concept of the “danger zone” — between 5°C and 60°C, where bacteria multiply rapidly — informs practical steps like refrigerating perishables and cooking food thoroughly.

India, with its climatic diversity, varied culinary traditions, sprawling informal sector, and growing urban populations, faces unique food safety challenges. Beloved street food often lacks basic safety protocols, while rural regions struggle with storage infrastructure and awareness. Nevertheless, India is also taking meaningful strides forward. The FSSAI has initiated several impactful campaigns such as Eat Right India, Clean Street Food, and Safe and Nutritious Food at School. These programs blend education with enforcement and scientific training to encourage safer practices across the food ecosystem.

Sikkim, for instance, is a leading example. As India's first fully organic state, it has not only eliminated chemical inputs from agriculture but has also built a digital infrastructure to manage food safety. All licensing and regulatory actions are managed online, improving transparency and responsiveness. In 2023, Sikkim ranked third among small states in the Food Safety Index. It celebrates World Food Safety Day by organizing awareness drives, distributing hygiene kits to Food Business Operators (FBOs), conducting food testing demonstrations, and educating the public about the National Food Security Act (NFSA). These multi-pronged efforts have positioned Sikkim as a national model for sustainable and safe food systems.

Modern innovations are also shaping India’s food safety efforts. Advances in biotechnology, real-time surveillance, and mobile-based traceability systems are helping detect contaminants earlier and ensure accountability across the supply chain. Without vigilance, we risk re-entering an era where minor infections become fatal.

To build a resilient food safety culture, all stakeholders must act. Governments must invest in scientific research, update safety regulations, and strengthen surveillance systems. Academic institutions need to lead in research, curriculum development, and outreach. Businesses must adopt stringent, science-based safety protocols. Communities should spread awareness and support hygienic practices. And most importantly, consumers must remain informed and vigilant.

As individuals, we can make a meaningful difference in ensuring food safety by following the Five Keys to Safer Food. This includes keeping ourselves and our surroundings clean, especially during food preparation; separating raw and cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination; cooking food thoroughly to eliminate harmful pathogens; maintaining food at safe temperatures to prevent bacterial growth; and using safe water and raw materials to reduce the risk of contamination from the source.

Additionally, by following trusted guidance from FSSAI and WHO, supporting ethical food businesses, and teaching children about hygiene, we empower our communities. Informed citizens are the first line of defense against foodborne threats.

World Food Safety Day 2025 reminds us that science provides the foundation for food safety, but it is collective action that turns knowledge into protection. From policy-makers crafting evidence-based laws to vendors cleaning their carts, from researchers identifying emerging risks to parents teaching handwashing — every action counts.

In India, where food is celebration, sustenance, economy, and emotion, let us reaffirm our commitment to food that is not only delicious but safe. Let us honor the science that protects our plates and strengthen the community of action that keeps our future healthy.

Food safety is everyone’s business. Let’s act on science — and keep our food, and our future, safe.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone)