World Health Organisation: The great majority of people will experience a food or water borne disease at some point in their lives. This highlights the importance of making sure the food we eat is not contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses, toxins and chemicals.

1. More than 200 diseases are spread through food.

2. Contaminated food can cause long-term health problems.

3. Foodborne diseases affect vulnerable people harder than other groups.

4. There are many opportunities for food contamination to take place

5. Globalization makes food safety more complex and essential.

6. Food safety is multisectoral and multidisciplinary

7. Food contamination also affects the economy and society as a whole.

8. Some harmful bacteria are becoming resistant to drug treatments.

9. Everybody has a role to play in keeping food safe.

10. Consumers must be well informed on food safety practices.

Read the full fact file at the World Health Organisation website