Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1501168
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 JUNE 2023 9 COMMERCIAL Food safety and sustainability awareness FOOD safety and sustainabil- ity are two important issues that are closely related to each other. Food safety refers to the measures taken to ensure that food is free from harmful con- taminants, pathogens, and oth- er substances that could pose a risk to human health. Sustaina- bility, on the other hand, refers to the ability of the food system to meet the needs of the pres- ent without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Ensuring food safety is crucial for protecting public health. Contaminated food can cause foodborne illnesses, which can range from mild stomach upset to more serious conditions like kidney failure or even death. To ensure food safety, food pro- ducers and processors must adhere to strict regulations and guidelines, including proper handling, storage, and cooking of food, as well as testing for contaminants and pathogens. Sustainability is also an im- portant concern for the food system, as it is essential to en- sure that the food we produce is sustainable in the long term. This means minimizing the environmental impact of food production, reducing waste, and promoting biodiversity. Sustainable food production practices include using organ- ic farming methods, reducing pesticide and fertilizer use, con- serving water resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emis- sions. There are many ways in which food safety and sustainability intersect. For example, sustain- able farming practices can help to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers, which can lead to healthier soil and fewer con- taminants in the food. Addi- tionally, food safety measures can help to reduce food waste, which is a major contributor to environmental degradation. Overall, ensuring food safety and sustainability is essential for protecting public health and promoting a healthy envi- ronment. By working together to promote sustainable food production practices and im- plement effective food safety measures, we can help to ensure that the food we eat is both safe and sustainable for generations to come. Here are some ways in which sustainability can be integrated into food safety: • Reduce food waste: One of the most effective ways to improve food safety and sustainability is by reducing food waste. This can be achieved by bet- ter storage, handling, and distribution of food prod- ucts, as well as by reduc- ing overproduction and encouraging consumers to consume food before it goes bad. • Promote local and organ- ic farming: By supporting local and organic farming practices, consumers can reduce their carbon foot- print and support sustain- able food systems. These practices promote biodi- versity, reduce the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and support lo- cal communities. • Implement sustainable packaging: Food packag- ing is a major contributor to waste and pollution. By implementing sustainable packaging, such as bio- degradable or recyclable materials, the food in- dustry can reduce its en- vironmental impact and improve food safety. • Improve supply chain transparency: Food safety can be improved by in- creasing transparency and traceability in the food supply chain. This in- cludes tracking the origin and production methods of food products, as well as implementing strict safety standards and reg- ulations. • Educate consumers: Edu- cating consumers on the importance of sustaina- bility and food safety can help to promote more responsible consumption habits. This can include providing information on food labels about the en- vironmental impact and safety of products, as well as encouraging consum- ers to buy locally and sup- port sustainable farming practices. This article has been prepared by Environmental Health Of- ficers from the Environmental Health Directorate in collabo- ration with the Health Promo- tion and Disease Prevention Directorate both within the Su- perintendence of Public Health as part of the World Food Safe- ty Day Celebrations. This is or- ganised annually by the World Health Organisation on the 7th June and this year the topic is "Food standards save Lives". For further information please visit https://www.who.int/ campaigns/world-food-safety- day/2023 Some magical moments captured last Tuesday evening at the Manoel Theatre during a recital by renowned classic guitarist Simon Schembri and violinist Carmine Lauri. The event was organised as part of Malta Enterprise' CSR initiative in aid of Richmond Foundation 30th years of service. Malta Enterprise thanked its supporting partners Air Malta, Malta International Airport, HSBC Malta Foundation, Matla Tourism Authority, V&C Group, Heritage Matla and Teatru Manoel and all those who attended. All contributions will go towards the Richmond Foundation. Above: Kurt Farrugia, CEO Malta Enterprise, Prof Ivan Mifsud, Chairman Richmond Foundation, artist Mro Carmine Lauri, William Wait, Chairman, Malta Enterprise, artist Simon Schembri and Michael Grech, Chairperson, Teatru Manoel. Manoel recital