World Food Safety Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, serves as a crucial platform to raise awareness on the paramount importance of ensuring Food Safety worldwide. In this global endeavour, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) join hands to facilitate the observance of this significant day, collaborating with Member States and other stakeholders.

As leaders in their respective fields, WHO and FAO spearhead global expert groups and provide invaluable scientific advice to develop international food safety standards, safeguarding consumer health and supporting food trade across the globe. To learn more about their tireless efforts and the impact of their work, please visit their site here.

The 2025 Food Safety Summit opened with an exciting and extraordinary announcement, which drew overwhelming support from the delegates in the room – the launching of the Food Safety Leadership Initiative co-founded by Prof Lucia Anelich and Ravi Pillay.  The FSLI is hosted at the Wits Business School and we were graced by the presence of both the Executive Director and the Academic Director of the WBS, Profs Radebe and Rangasamy, respectively.

The Summit examined a range of critical topics and challenges confronting the South African food industry, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for new approaches and innovative problem-solving. The programme opened with a forward-looking exploration of artificial intelligence, focusing on how AI can be responsibly integrated into food industry settings to strengthen food safety systems. This was complemented by a highly engaging panel discussion debating the pros and cons of AI as it currently stands and whether South Africa has the capacity for this resource-intensive technology.  Our Day One Keynote Speaker, Dr Jeffrey Lejeune, joined us from the FAO headquarters in Rome, travelling specifically to South Africa for just the day, to deliver his address on the use of AI in food safety. This underscores the international significance of our programmes.

One of the most topical and widely discussed sessions, focused on the township food economy and food safety in South Africa, drawing considerable audience engagement in light of the tragic Terbufos poisoning incidents in townships for several years, but which reached a head in 2024.

The Summit also addressed food safety certification challenges, including a highly successful interactive session on internal auditing. Emerging science, such as metagenomics, alongside other key factors influencing food safety outcomes, formed part of the broader technical discussions. Particular emphasis was placed on cleaning and disinfection as a cornerstone of effective food safety management.

The Summit concluded on a high note with the Day Two keynote address by Dr Jeff Farber, who provided a compelling look into the future of emerging foodborne pathogens and what the industry should be preparing for next.

Join us in 2026 as we continue to explore relevant topics and tackle significant challenges facing the South African and Global Food Industry, connecting industry professionals, experts, and visionaries to pave the way for a brighter and safer food future.