Malawi Exclusive Malawi will today Thursday, September 10, join the global community in commemorating World Food Safety Day, with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation calling for collective action to prevent foodborne diseases. The commemoration will be held under the theme, “From Burden to Solutions: Safe Food Everywhere.” Speaking at a news conference in Lilongwe, Chief Public Health Officer responsible for Food Safety in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Gloria Kantema, said unsafe food poses a serious threat to public health, livelihoods, tourism and trade. Kantema said outbreaks of cholera and other foodborne illnesses demonstrate the need to strengthen food safety practices across the country. She said the commemoration aims at raising awareness among consumers, food producers and policymakers about food safety risks and ways of preventing them. Kantema urged the public to follow the World Health Organization’s five keys to safer food, which include keeping clean, separating raw and cooked food, cooking food thoroughly, keeping food at safe temperatures, and using safe water and safe raw materials. Meanwhile, the Ministry has called on the public to report unsafe food practices to relevant authorities. The commemoration will include an awareness march from Parliament Roundabout to Sunbird Capital Hotel, pavilion displays, a panel discussion and speeches. The event is being funded by the Ireland-Malawi Agri-food Systems Programme, IMAGRI. Post navigation Experts say strategic communication is key to realize reproductive health needs Minister Madalitso Baloyi calls for food safety as Malawi joins the world to commemorate the day