Working Group 4 –Data and awareness

Co-chairs

Dr Annie Locas

National Manager, Food Safety Science Services - Microbiology, Science Branch, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canada

Dr Joanne Chan Sheot Harn

Singapore Food Agency, Singapore

Summary

WG4 was established to focus on Outcome 4 of the Alliance’s work plan, which aims for: a) evidence-based decision-making in place for food safety and FBDs; b) national competent authorities aware of the importance of FBD to public health; and c) available FBD  and food contamination data at national and international levels.

WG4 received a strong response to their call for case studies, collecting examples of how food safety interventions have reduced the burden of FBD or improved food safety and how data-sharing initiatives have led to positive health and safety outcomes. These case studies will be used both in a communication toolkit to promote the importance of reporting FBD and food contamination data at the national level and as contributions to the upcoming WHO Global Report on Food Safety.

In parallel, the group is advancing a landscape analysis of the availability of FBD and food contamination data and existing data-sharing mechanisms. A survey tool has been developed to support this work. The group has also initiated an inventory of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) trainings and drafted a potential training outline to support wider uptake of this critical technology.

Together, these initiatives aim to improve data availability, promote awareness, and strengthen the use of information to guide public health and food safety action.

Highlights

  • Case studies from around the world are being collected to show how food safety interventions reduce the burden of disease and improve lives. These will feed into the WHO Global Report on Food Safety.
  • Better data, better action: a landscape analysis and new survey tool are helping to map how countries collect and share food safety information.
  • Whole Genome Sequencing is shaping the future of food safety. An inventory of trainings and draft training outline are underway to build global capacity.
  • A new communication toolkit will showcase the importance of reporting foodborne diseases and food contamination data at national level, turning data into awareness and action.