Since 1903, IDF’s network of dairy experts has provided a platform for the dairy sector to achieve global consensus on feeding the world with safe and sustainable dairy products.

Food safety is crucial for everyone, yet food can become contaminated with hazards such as bacteria, chemicals, fungi, or parasites, leading to over 200 different diseases. These illnesses impact health, livelihoods, education, and economies, but they can be prevented through informed actions.

Observed annually on June 7, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborate to celebrate World Food Safety Day globally. This day emphasises that food safety is a collective right and responsibility – everyone must play their part. This year’s theme, “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere,” highlights the importance of using data, science and targeted action to prevent foodborne diseases and translate knowledge into effective, practical solutions.

These practices are grounded in the careful application of the best available scientific evidence, which explains how and why food can become contaminated and cause illness. Scientists assess and analyse risks to human health associated with known, emerging and evolving food safety hazards, providing critical guidance to policymakers, food businesses and consumers.

In this context, data and science are essential to moving from burden to solutions. Reliable information on foodborne diseases allows risks to be identified, prioritised and addressed through targeted, cost‑effective interventions. Foodborne diseases remain a significant global burden – but importantly, they are largely preventable when evidence-based measures are applied.

International collaboration is equally important. Food safety cannot be achieved in isolation: effective solutions require coordinated action across sectors, including health, agriculture, trade and consumer protection. Governments, scientists, industry and international organisations must work together to develop appropriate legislation, strengthen control systems, and promote safe practices across the food chain.

At IDF, science-based standards and guidance are at the core of our daily work. Food safety is a central pillar of our strategic area Nutrition, Food Safety & Health, reflecting our commitment to safeguarding the integrity and transparency of the dairy supply chain and ensuring the safety and quality of milk and dairy products.

Global standards like Codex, which protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade, help gain that trust. For over 30 years, IDF has contributed to the development and harmonization of key international standards and guidelines on risk management and good hygienic practices, all aiming to provide safe and sound food.

As a recognized technical advisor to Codex Alimentarius since its establishment, IDF brings dairy-sector expertise to the development of science-based food safety standards that protect consumer health and support fair trade in the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH).

IDF has actively supported the evolution of the General Principles of Food Hygiene (CXC 1-1969), which form the global foundation for food safety systems, including the application of Good Hygiene Practices and HACCP across the food chain.

In the area of microbiological risk management, IDF contributed to Codex work on the control of Listeria monocytogenes in foods, providing technical input relevant to dairy production and processing, and supporting the ongoing revision and implementation of these guidelines.

More recently, IDF has played a key role in the development of the Codex Guidelines for the Safe Use and Reuse of Water in Food Production and Processing (CXG 100-2023). In particular, IDF co-chaired the development of the annex dedicated to milk and milk products, as well as the annex addressing water fit-for-purpose assessment, safety management and technologies for water reuse. These guidelines promote a risk-based, “fit-for-purpose” approach to water use to ensure food safety while addressing sustainability challenges.

Through these contributions, IDF helps ensure that Codex texts remain scientifically robust, practical, and relevant to the dairy sector, while supporting global efforts to strengthen food safety systems.

IDF leverages the knowledge and expertise of hundreds of passionate individuals around the globe to proactively develop its own guidance for the dairy sector. Current projects include:

• Providing practical advice and high-level information on managing non-intentionally added residues for non-specialists. For instance, IDF recently published guidance for the control of chlorine and hypochlorite residues in the dairy chain (Bulletin of the IDF N°529/2024: Control of Chlorine and Hypochlorite Residues in the Dairy Chain)

• Developing guidance on process environment monitoring for microbiological contamination, triggered by recent outbreaks caused by environmental contamination.

IDF consolidates this knowledge to share experiences and improve best practices.

You can count on IDF to continue contributing to food safety. It’s a mission we strongly believe in.

Join us every year to celebrate World Food Safety Day, whether you are a policymaker, a food business owner or employee, an educator, or a consumer!