he World Food Safety Day’s theme this year, Science in action: shaping the future of food safety, highlights the crucial role of scientific advancements in safeguarding our food. From microbiological testing and risk assessment to digital traceability and innovative packaging, science provides the backbone of food safety systems. However, science alone cannot eliminate foodborne diseases. True progress requires the active participation of governments, industry, farmers and individuals. Each of us has a part to play in translating scientific knowledge into real-world action.

Foodborne illnesses are a pressing public health concern, causing over 600 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths globally, each year. In Pakistan, unsafe food and water continue to contribute significantly to diarrhoeal diseases, malnutrition and child mortality. Scientific evidence underscores the importance of food safety as an integral part of public health systems, linking safe food with improved nutrition, better health outcomes and economic productivity.

For infants and young children, food safety is especially critical during the complementary feeding phase, which begins at six months of age. Science has firmly established that unsafe complementary foods, whether due to contamination, poor hygiene or improper preparation, are major contributors to foodborne and waterborne illnesses such as diarrhoea. These infections not only cause immediate illness but also hinder nutrient absorption, exacerbate undernutrition and increase the risk of stunting. In Pakistan, where 40.2 percent of children under five are stunted, ensuring food safety during this vulnerable period is a powerful intervention for breaking the cycle of malnutrition.

Science provides clear guidance on how to improve complementary feeding practices and reduce foodborne disease risks by following practices such as:

Proper food hygiene and preparation: Scientific recommendations emphasise thorough handwashing before preparing food and feeding the children, using clean utensils and storing leftovers safely.

Safe water and sanitation: Research confirms that boiling or treating water before mixing with infant food drastically reduces waterborne pathogens, a vital step for preventing diarrhoea.

Optimal dietary diversity: Studies highlight the benefits of introducing a variety of safe, nutrient-rich foods, including animal-sourced foods, pulses, fruits and vegetables, at appropriate age and consistency.

Continued breastfeeding: Science reaffirms that continued breastfeeding alongside safe complementary feeding not only supplies essential nutrients but also strengthens infant immunity, further protecting against infections.

While these evidence-based practices are well-documented, they must be integrated into daily actions by families and communities. This means mothers, fathers and caregivers must be equipped with practical, culturally appropriate education on safe complementary feeding practices. Health workers and community leaders must act as champions of food safety. Governments and policymakers must ensure access to clean water, hygiene infrastructure and supportive services for families.

In line with the Science in Action theme, Pakistan has an opportunity to harness scientific research and local knowledge to promote food safety in early childhood nutrition. This involves:

n Integrating food safety messages into nutrition and health campaigns, ensuring mothers understand the importance of safe feeding practices from the first complementary feed.

n Leveraging digital platforms, like mobile health applications, to deliver accessible and evidence-based guidance to parents, reinforcing food safety principles in local languages.

n Empowering women, who are often primary caregivers, to make informed decisions about food preparation and feeding. This links directly to gender equality and women’s empowerment as key drivers of safe, healthy nutrition for children.

Food safety is everyone’s responsibility. On this World Food Safety Day, let us recognise that while science provides the foundation, it is our collective action as parents, communities, health professionals and policymakers that turns scientific knowledge into a safer, healthier reality for every child. Investing in safe complementary feeding practices not only protects against foodborne diseases but also nurtures a generation of healthier, more resilient Pakistanis. Together, by putting science into action, we can ensure that every child receives not just enough but safe and nutritious food, laying the groundwork for lifelong health and development.

Dr Rehama Iqbal Gilani is a PhD scholar in population and public health stream at Aga Khan University.

Dr Rozina Nuruddin is an associate professor in the Department of Community Health Science at Aga Khan University