The Osijek-based HAPIH on Monday held events at the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences of Osijek University to mark World Food Safety Day, observed on 7 June.
HAPIH Director Darja Sokolić said in her speech that unexpected situations could be provoked by geopolitical, economic, social and other changes.
Therefore, it is important to develop inter-institutional cooperation, particularly in crisis situations such as the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) or the fire at the plastic waste storage site in Osijek last year, she noted.
No death related to food poisoning in Croatia
Concerning Croatia, she said that things are good food safety-wise.
Annually, 420,000 people worldwide die of food poisoning, and most fatalities are from the so-called third countries. In Europe such cases are sporadic, and in Croatia no death related to food poisoning has been registered, the agency's head said.
A campaign to raise awareness among consumers to be able to make well-founded decisions on food issues is being conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), said Sokolić.
This year’s World Food Safety Day focuses on food incidents and on the crucial need for preparedness for unexpected events, according to the information on the EFSA's website.
"Food safety is a shared responsibility involving many actors, all working together to ensure the food we consume is safe."
"The EU has among the most rigorous food and feed safety standards in the world, but unexpected incidents still occur, sometimes posing serious health risks to consumers. In such situations, rapid response is needed, so being prepared is essential," says the European Union's agency.
This year, 18 EU Member States are working closely with the EFSA on the campaign, supporting their ongoing efforts to reach out to EU citizens so that they can make informed decisions about the food they choose to eat.