As the world marks World Food Safety Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for greater investment in scientific research and innovation to tackle food safety challenges, warning that failure to act risks not only public health but also the economic sustainability of food industries and national economies.
In a statement, WHO underscored that foodborne diseases, though largely preventable, carry significant health and economic costs, particularly for children under five and vulnerable groups.
Crucially for businesses, the WHO noted that the economic fallout from unsafe food includes medical treatment costs, lost productivity, child development setbacks, export restrictions, market loss.
“Foodborne diseases impose substantial costs that can erode industry competitiveness, damage brand reputation, and shut companies out of key export markets,” WHO warned.
Rising Risks for Business
The challenge is growing more complex due to Climate change, Environmental pollution, Urbanization and population growth and Shifting consumption patterns
These trends are increasing exposure to harmful chemicals, antimicrobial residues, and drug-resistant pathogens in the food supply chain placing more pressure on companies to adopt science-based food safety protocols.
For the Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond, WHO says that enhanced collaboration between businesses, regulators, and scientific communities will be key to safeguarding public health and ensuring economic resilience.
Data to Shape Industry Response
In line with the World Health Assembly resolution WHA73.5, WHO is now updating its estimates of the global foodborne disease burden, including data on incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
This will give food industry stakeholders detailed insights into risk areas—helping them improve food safety compliance and avoid costly market disruptions.
Business Case for Food Safety
The WHO’s message to the food industry is clear: Investing in food safety is not just a regulatory obligation, it is an economic imperative.
“Robust food safety protects market access, builds consumer trust, and enables companies to compete in an increasingly globalized and quality-conscious marketplace,” WHO said.
By leveraging scientific advances and pursuing regional and international collaborations, food companies and national industries can reduce the risk of costly recalls, export bans, and legal liabilities.
Moving Forward
WHO stressed that collaborative, science-driven approaches to food safety will be essential for both public health protection and long-term economic sustainability especially as food supply chains face mounting challenges from environmental and demographic shifts.
“Our unwavering commitment to science-based food safety paves the way to a healthier and safer future for all,” the Organization concluded.
For food businesses, that future starts with taking food safety innovation and collaboration seriously, before unsafe products lead to business losses.
