WHO Representative DrRiedner presenting the prize to the winner of the World Health Day art competition with representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Agriculture and FAO.April 8, Beirut - The World Health Organization Lebanon country office celebrated World Health Day 2015 under the slogan “From farm to plate: make food safe”. The Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) participated in the celebration since the subject is of great importance not only to health but it also extends to economic and social development, trade and tourism.

Dr Gabriele Riedner, Acting Representative of WHO to Lebanon affirmed: “Consumers rightly expect their food to be safe. They expect their government to protect them. Gaining the trust of consumers in Lebanon has been a great achievement of the food safety initiative of the Ministry of Public Health. WHO remains committed to work with our partner agency FAO and the national authorities to help meeting the people’s expectations that the food they consume is safe. Therefore, on this World Health Day we call for: “From farm to plate – make food safe”

The celebration included the distribution of prizes and certificates to the winners of the regional art competition for World Health Day 2015.

Safaa Rammal, winner of the 14-15 age category from Renee Mouawad Public High school, Beirut said: “It is important to me that the children know the importance of food safety because they are the future of Lebanon; specially the transportation, clean utensils in the kitchen during food preparation; so you can see the difference between safe and unsafe food.”

Kona Karim, winner of the 8-9 age category from the Modern Cultural School, Tripoli stated: “Food safety starts from the farm and then it continues. We should balance our food intake from vegetables and animal products.”

The ceremony included televised display of informational materials inspired by the occasion.