Opinion Editorial: Deon Mahoney, Scientific Advisor, AIFST
World Health Day 2026 is being observed under the World Health Organization’s theme “Together for health. Stand with science.” This year’s campaign highlights the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants and the planet, and the need to turn evidence into action through a strong One Health approach.
For AIFST, this is a timely reminder that food safety is one of the clearest examples of science protecting public health every day. From identifying hazards and assessing risk to designing controls, monitoring outcomes and responding to incidents, food science plays a critical role in keeping food safe and suitable for consumers.
Access to safe and suitable food is a fundamental component of public health. Unsafe food resulting in foodborne illness imposes substantial pressure on the health system and disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including young children, older adults, and individuals who are immunocompromised.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) estimates the annual cost of foodborne illness in Australia at approximately $3 billion, reflecting productivity losses, health care expenditure, hospitalisations, and premature mortality.[1] Campylobacter alone accounts for an estimated $517 million in economic burden each year, while norovirus, Escherichia coli, and non-typhoidal Salmonella each contribute more than $150 million annually.
Nationally the Food Regulation System Work Plan 2025–2028 prioritises safe and suitable food, focussing on development of a dedicated Campylobacter Action Plan, strengthened management of food safety incidents and recalls, and enhanced identification of emerging pathogens.[2] Concurrently, food businesses need to focus on scientifically identifying hazards and implementing effective control measures.
Safe and suitable food is not simply a matter of compliance; it is a public health outcome grounded in science. When foodborne illness is prevented, pressure on the health system is reduced, vulnerable populations are better protected, and communities are healthier and more resilient.
As World Health Day 2026 calls on us to stand with science, food safety should be recognised as a vital part of that mission. Through a One Health lens, food science helps protect not only human health, but the broader systems on which health depends.
[1] FSANZ updates estimate of annual cost of foodborne illness | Food Standards Australia New Zealand
[2] Food Regulation System Work Plan 2025 - 2028 | Food Regulation
Read more about World Health Day 2026 - https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2026/04/07/default-calendar/world-health-day-2026-together-for-health-stand-with-science.
