Opinion Editorial: Deon Mahoney, Scientific Advisor, AIFST

World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated on the 7th April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO). It marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948, and each year highlights a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

Over the years since its inception, World Health Day has focused on different themes. They range from direct illness discussions like food safety, vector-borne diseases, diabetes, and polio, to larger issues like road safety and the impact of climate change on our health.

The theme for 2025 Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures focus is on ending preventable deaths and improving the well-being of women and babies. It recognises the importance of health promotion, illness prevention (e.g. vaccinations), and treatment of common childhood illnesses as being essential if children are to thrive as well as survive.

The food industry has an important role in supporting the well-being of women and their babies. 

This includes managing the safety and nutritional value of food for pregnant women and ensuring that newborns have access to safe and suitable infant formula when mothers are unable to breastfeed.

Food safety is an important issue for pregnant women, and foodborne illnesses such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis present major threats to the mother and the developing foetus. 

Adherence to good hygienic practices during preparation of food and avoidance of certain higher-risk foods are key strategies for reducing the risk.

• Listeria monocytogenes is found in many foods, including ready-to-eat refrigerated foods like deli meats, unpasteurised milk, and foods such as leafy greens, bean sprouts, pre-prepared salads, pâté, smoked salmon, and some soft cheeses. Listeria is of particular concern to pregnant women as it can cause miscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth, as well as serious illness for a newborn baby.
  
• Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite found in food sources such as undercooked meat or unwashed fruit and vegetables, particularly from gardens with household cats. While infection during pregnancy is rare, it can pose risks to the developing baby, so it's a good idea to take simple precautions like washing produce thoroughly and cooking meat well.
  
• Other food poisoning bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and pathogenic E. coli, also may lead to health complications for pregnant women, unborn babies, and newborns.
  

Healthy beginnings for our newest citizens are supported by choosing nutritious foods and ensuring good hygiene during their preparation. Toddlers and children younger than 5 years are at higher risk of developing foodborne illness because their immune systems are still developing. Plus, the typical symptoms of foodborne illness (vomiting and diarrhoea) can lead to serious dehydration.

Read more about World Health Day 2025 at - https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2025