WHO SEARO Framework for action on Food Safety

The South-East Asia is home to one quarter of the world’s population. According to WHO statistics, “the burden of foodborne diseases in the region is the second highest among all WHO regions, accounting for 150 million illnesses, 175 000 deaths, and 12 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2010”. The comparison of global burden of foodborne disease by enteric hazards on different WHO regions is shown in figure.

 (WHO, 2015)

To fight with such challenges, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office has recently published a framework for action on food safety for this region. The framework has identified 7 important components of national food control system. The following strategic actions have been proposed under different components as described below:

Compilation of nutrition and health claims evaluated by EFSA

The following is a list of nutrition and health claims evaluated by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The authorized claims are shown with green text and the rejected claims are shown in red text.

Fish Oil Supplement

Fish oil is generally obtained from mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, cod liver, whale blubber, and seal blubber. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids mainly Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Let's read the details about fish oil below: 

EFSA evaluation of health claims related to COPPER

The following is a list of claims related to the copper. The claim explaining “ copper contributes to the cholesterol and glucose” was not authorized by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Claims	EFSA opinion reference	Status
Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues	2009;7(9):1211	Authorised
Copper contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism	2009;7(9):1211 2011;9(4):2079	Authorised
Copper contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system	2009;7(9):1211 2011;9(4):2079	Authorised
Copper contributes to normal hair pigmentation	2009;7(9):1211	Authorised
Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body	2009;7(9):1211	Authorised
Copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation	2009;7(9):1211	Authorised
Copper contributes to the normal function of the immune system	2009;7(9):1211 2011;9(4):2079	Authorised
Copper contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress	2009;7(9):1211	Authorised
Copper contributes to the cholesterol and glucose	2009;7(9):1211	Non-authorised

Safety and Effectiveness of "Disinfection Card"

With increasing COVID-19 pandemic situation, different disinfection and sterilization products are being introduced into the market. One of them is a disinfection card, claimed to protect from coronavirus infection.  It generally contains chlorine dioxide producing chemical called sodium chlorite. "Wearing a disinfection card on your neck only creates a little of low-concentration chlorine dioxide that blows in the wind, which has a very limited effect," said Dong Chuan, director of Shanxi University's Institute of Environmental Science. 

Moreover, sodium chlorite used in the card is a hazardous chemical. If the card is damaged, it can cause serious health problems from skin burns to even respiratory poisoning. Ministry of Health has declared that such products have not been given permission to be marketed. However, such products are widely available in the market. Are such products being monitored and controlled by the relevant regulatory body?

Let's check the material safety data sheet of sodium chlorite and related chemicals from Sigma Aldrich.

National Food Safety Policy 2076

Please find the "National Food Safety Policy, 2076" .