This year’s World Food Safety Day (WFSD) 2025 theme is Food Safety: Science in Action, aimed at drawing attention to the importance of scientific research and knowledge in making informed decisions about food.
On 7 June each year, the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation celebrate WFSD. This year’s theme aims to raise awareness of the goals of reducing illness, saving lives and cutting costs.
WFSD 2025 highlights the key role science plays in developing innovative research and knowledge to secure the integrity and safety of food supplies. From farmers to food workers, retailers and consumers, food guidance and advice can be actioned through the development of policies backed by scientific research.
According to the Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology (AIFST), science enables the monitoring of zoonotic diseases, the control of food contamination, the understanding of pathogen complexities, and the development of strategies to prevent foodborne illness.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) will also mark the day. Through risk and dietary exposure assessments to approve new foods, FSANZ addresses food safety issues and monitors emerging risks.
The agency has introduced Plain English Allergen Labelling and completed a review of infant formula standards to ensure alignment with international practices.
Food safety supports the implementation of robust process controls and hygienic practices—both of which are crucial to the food and beverage sector and to consumers.