The World Health Organization estimates that 600 million people fall ill annually from contaminated food, resulting in 420,000 deaths each year—with children under five accounting for 125,000 of these fatalities. These sobering figures underscore why Nigeria’s participation in the World Food Safety Day 2026 campaign represents more than symbolic commitment; they reflect an urgent public health imperative.
Nigeria’s partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare and the National Food Safety Management Committee aims to translate global awareness into local action. The 2026 campaign theme, “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere,” emphasizes that comprehensive food safety systems can significantly reduce these preventable deaths. As foodborne diseases disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including children and those in low-resource settings, coordinated national strategies aligned with WHO recommendations become essential components of equitable public health protection.
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