The International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN)

The rapid globalization of food production and trade has increased the potential likelihood of international incidents involving contaminated food.

Food safety authorities all over the world have acknowledged that ensuring food safety must not only be tackled at the national level but also through closer linkages among food safety authorities at the international level. This is important for exchanging routine information on food safety issues and to have rapid access to information in case of food safety emergencies.

The International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) is a global network of 177 national food safety authorities, developed and managed by WHO in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), that:

• disseminates important global food safety information, and;
• improves national and international collaboration.

INFOSAN publishes INFOSAN Information Notes, in the six official WHO languages, to provide its members with summaries on relevant food safety issues.

INFOSAN also facilitates the exchange of food safety information and experience among its members.

Embedded in INFOSAN is INFOSAN Emergency, which exists under a general umbrella of WHO emergency action, which also supports WHO's central role in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) to prevent and control the international spread of diseases. INFOSAN Emergency facilitates the identification, assessment and management of food safety events of international concern, including WHO's obligations for surveillance, verification and assessment of food safety related events and information dissemination of Public Health Risks associated with food. INFOSAN Emergency also operates in partnership with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) to help respond to country requests for assistance during food safety emergencies.

INFOSAN also has an interface with the Global Early Warning System for Major Animal Diseases, including Zoonoses (GLEWS) to promote seamless action throughout the food-chain continuum.

For further information please contact:

Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses (FOS)
World Health Organization
Avenue Appia 20
1211 Geneva 27
Facsimile: +41 22 791 4807
E-mail: infosan@who.int