FAO and Mars to collaborate on global food safety

Mars Incorporated has joined forces with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to improve food safety and quality along the food chain, particularly in developing countries.

The two organisations have signed a partnership agreement aimed at promoting international standards for food safety and quality, improving food safety management to reduce foodborne illness and facilitating global access to information.

Under the agreement, Mars will support FAO’s food safety program by providing access to food safety data and providing experts in key areas such as traceability.

Managing mycotoxin risks

The FAO–Mars collaboration will also focus on reducing food safety risks related to mycotoxin contamination. Mycotoxins, toxic substances for humans and animals, can be produced by certain fungi and may be found in staple crops such as maize, wheat and sorghum. Limiting the intake of mycotoxins is a critical factor to improving public health and animal health globally. 

The data and knowledge related to mycotoxin contamination developed by Mars would be of great benefit in expanding the functionalities of the FAO mycotoxin sampling tool, which has already drawn the interest of a number of member countries as well as other UN agencies.

“Partnership with the private sector to improve food safety globally is critical. FAO recognises this and engages with the food industry at national and international levels to both leverage and disseminate knowledge that will promote effective food safety practices along the food chain,” said Ren Wang, assistant director-general of FAO’s Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department.

“Food safety is complex and addressing food safety issues requires a multisectorial approach. Partnership with Mars can strengthen our message to countries that food safety is best achieved through effective public-private partnership,” he added.

Dave Crean, vice president, corporate research and development at Mars, said: “Unsafe food kills thousands of people every day and damages the economies of developing nations. We are committed to working collaboratively to address food safety in the context of food security.”