Every year on 7 June, the world observes World Food Safety Day, a global platform established by the United Nations to raise awareness of foodborne risks and inspire action to prevent, detect, and manage them.

To mark this occasion, EU-funded research projects on food systems will convene a virtual symposium on 8 July 2026, bringing together their collective progress and exploring pathways from food safety challenges to measurable solutions.

The symposium is jointly organised by four Horizon Europe projects: Food Safety for Africa (FS4Africa), Fair Food and Trade Systems for Africa (FCI4Africa), Upscaling Innovations in Food Safety in Africa (UP-RISE), and Healthy Diets for All in Africa (HD4A). Together, these initiatives are committed to strengthening food safety systems across Africa and supporting safer, healthier, and more sustainable food systems.

The event will be a valuable networking opportunity for researchers and scientists, government and regulatory officials, development partners and donors, civil society and NGO representatives, food industry actors, students, and early-career professionals working across food systems in Africa and globally. It will stimulate dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among key stakeholders working to improve food safety and access to safe food.

Rationale

Foodborne diseases remain a critical public health and economic challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting millions of people annually, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations, and undermining agricultural productivity and trade. Despite growing scientific knowledge, a persistent gap remains between research findings and scalable, context- appropriate food safety solutions. This symposium provides a timely platform to bridge that gap – showcasing concrete innovations, enabling peer learning, and mobilizing stakeholders across research, policy, and practice to accelerate impact.