7 June is World Food Safety Day and this year’s theme ‘Food safety: prepare for the unexpected‘ underlines the importance of being prepared for food safety incidents, no matter how mild or severe they can be.

Food safety incidents are situations where there is a potential or confirmed health risk associated with food consumption. A food incident can happen, for example, due to accidents, inadequate controls, food fraud or natural events. While being ready to manage food safety incidents requires dedicated efforts from policymakers, food safety authorities, farmers and food business operators, consumers also can play an active role.

Food safety and fresh produce safety will continue to have challenges, but today we would like to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements made through science, research, regulation and continual collaboration across the supply chain. We look forward to welcoming the fresh produce safety community to our International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium in Sydney this August as we continue to strive for a future of safe and sustainable fresh produce through science, innovation and collaboration. The preliminary programme is available to view and download at www.ifpss.com.au and limited Early Bird Tickets are still available.