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World Food Safety Day 2026
By: Jehiel Martin Akuka
The Department of Integrated Home Economics at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has cautioned the public that even nutritious meals can become harmful if proper food safety practices are not observed.
This message was delivered during activities marking World Food Safety Day 2026, where Level 300 students of the department engaged the public in practical demonstrations and sensitization exercises on safe food handling.
The students demonstrated key practices such as proper handwashing, safe reheating of cooked food, correct use of gloves, and the importance of checking food temperatures before consumption. They also educated participants on various food hazards, including chemical and physical contaminants such as pesticide residues, plastic migration, broken glass, and sand contamination.
Speaking to the media during the exercise, Lenda Copper of the Department of Integrated Home Economics warned that many everyday practices, often overlooked, can significantly compromise food safety. She stressed that food that appears nutritious can become dangerous and even life-threatening if proper handling procedures are ignored.
She emphasized the need for continuous public education and vigilance in food preparation and storage.
The Head of Department for Integrated Home Economics Education, Mr. Guy Eshun, also raised concerns about the long-term effects of food contamination. He explained that while some foodborne illnesses may not show immediate symptoms, continuous exposure to contaminants such as plastic particles can accumulate in the body and lead to serious health complications, including cancer. He therefore urged the public to strictly observe food safety measures at all times.
Florence Kuma, the Level 300 Class Custodian, expressed gratitude to the lecturers, students, and members of the public who took part in the programme. She noted that many foodborne diseases originate not only from market sources but also from improper cooking and storage practices at home, and called for greater public responsibility.
One of the participating students described the exercise as an eye-opener, saying it had equipped them with practical knowledge on how to safely purchase foodstuffs and properly handle meals.
World Food Safety Day, observed globally by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to strengthen efforts to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks worldwide.