WHO sets out European action plan of food safety

EU country representatives will discuss future goals for co-ordinated food safety and nutritional policies.

At a 19 September meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, WHO will present its second action plan on food safety and nutritional polices for Europe. It will then be up to the individual countries to implement the policies, which will affect how processors operate.

The proposals serve as a guide to governments and national regulators. The food safety component of the plan aims at reducing salmonella and campylobacter contamination in the food-chain and eradicating brucellosis.

The first action plan led to the development of national policies on food safety and nutrition in most European countries, WHO reported.

In the second round, WHO plans to provide support to countries in the implementation of national plans. The new plan sets goals and recommends six areas for integrated and multisectoral action.

The proposed actions include improving nutrition and food safety in early life, ensuring a safe, healthy and sustainable food supply, providing comprehensive information and education to consumers, integrating actions to address related determinants such as physical activity, alcohol, water, environment, strengthening nutrition and food safety in the health sector, and monitoring and evaluating progress.

The meeting in Serbia is part of WHO's implementation of a European strategy to bring down obesity rates in the region.

The nutrition and food safety aspects of the plan were addressed through written consultations with member governments and others. Two meetings of national food safety representatives took place earlier this year.

Aporte: Guillermo Figueroa