Global Food Safety Curricula Initiative Update: Engaging the World

The Global Food Safety Curricula Initiative (GFSCI) is reaching around the world to generate information to assist in the development of a global food safety curricula. Benchmarking the current status of food safety programming and requirements is a critical first step in this ambitious IUFoST-led project, which is supported by the Global Food Safety Partnership (GFSP) and facilitated by the World Bank. Two surveys are being distributed around the world to accomplish that goal, while scientists and industry experts from many fields are examining and considering the core competencies needed at each level with partners across academia, industry and government at the national, regional and international levels.

The Challenge of Global Food Safety

The GFSCI is part of a multi-layered and cross-disciplinary approach to the ongoing world food safety challenge that threatens the health of millions of people, damages economies, valued brands and corporate bottom lines, and introduces barriers to trade. The Global Food Safety Partnership (GFSP) is an innovative public-private partnership with the World Bank dedicated to improving the safety of food worldwide, focusing on middle income and developing countries.

The mission of the GFSP is to improve food safety through capacity-building in low and medium income countries to

• Improve public health
• Facilitate trade
• Accelerate economic growth
• Alleviate rural poverty

Global Food Safety Curricula Initiative (GFSCI) and IUFoST

Consistent with the GFSP’s goal of capacity-building, IUFoST was commissioned to lead the GFSCI to identify gaps in food safety curricula and to establish and harmonize core competencies at the undergraduate and graduate level in order to improve food safety and security worldwide. Identification of the gaps in food safety standards and establishing/revising existing standards will ensure long-term food safety benefits for everyone, from the farm to the table. More information on the GFSCI can be found at foodsafety.iufost.org

IUFoST is uniquely positioned to direct this initiative because of its reputation as a global representative for food science and technology, ability to reach out to a global membership, expertise in multi-disciplinary collaboration, and experience in education and curricula development. All of these elements are being utilized in guiding the GFSCI process, including the challenges of developing and distributing relevant surveys to engage and generate responses from interested parties around the world.

The Surveys

A number of surveys will be used to provide important background data. A survey targeting academic institutions is generating information about the current status of food safety programming. A second survey targets food-related industry, government and non-government organisations to provide their unique perspective for consideration in the curriculum development process. A third survey designed to engage current food safety students/alumni is being developed and will be released soon.

Anyone interested is invited to take the surveys or forward them to relevant contacts:

Academic Institutions, which provide training or education in the area of Food Safety, including Food Technology, Nutrition, and Food Science. Take the survey here or paste this link directly into your browser:

https://iufost.eu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_ab20TskkVbaAmih 

Food Industry, Government or Non-Governmental Organisations, which employ graduates of Food programs or which may require training for their employees. Take the survey here or paste this link directly into your browser:

https://iufost.eu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9XpNW7DvMNd6PGJ

For more information, go to foodsafety.iufost.org or contact IUFoST at globalfoodsafety@iufost.org