Across the globe, governments, non-profits and other organizations are bringing attention to the importance of food safety “from farm to plate” as part of World Health Day 2015.

The World Health Organization’s statistics on the impact of food contamination are startling:

• An estimated 2 million deaths occur worldwide every year from contaminated food or drinking water.
• Over 200 diseases can be caused by contaminated food.
• 48 million Americans – one in six – get sick from foodborne diseases each year.

While many food safety precautions affect just farmers and food handlers, consumers can also play a role in greatly diminishing the possibility of food contamination. Keeping hands clean, separating raw and cooked meats, cooking food thoroughly, keeping foods at safe temperatures and ensuring water and raw materials are safe and bacteria free are all essential to ensure foods are safe to eat.

The Institute for Food Safety and Health at the Illinois Institute of Technology plays a vital role in researching food safety and nutrition issues, providing essential information to the food industry. 

Learn more:
From Farm to Plate, Make Food Safe – Huffington Post
CDC Estimates of Foodborne Illness in the U.S.
How Scientists Track Food Poisoning – Forbes