A Huge Thanks to Our Global Partners for Making 2020 a Year to Remember!
What a year it’s been! Together, with our global partners, we have made scientific breakthroughs, reached vulnerable communities devastated by COVID-19, and highlighted the power of public-private partnership through key events and webinars. We have helped raise awareness of the critical role of food safety on World Food Safety Day and shared knowledge and cutting-edge technology to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our planet today.
In case you’ve missed our news and events, here are some of our 2020 highlights:
1. The Mars Global Food Safety Center scorecard
Sharing knowledge and cutting-edge information to help ensure safe food for all is at the heart of everything we do. Our goal is to help scientists, academics, regulators, and non-government organizations access our latest scientific approaches, research, news, training and events. The Mars GFSC scorecard, provides a visual snapshot of the progress we have made across our research, partnerships and collaborations since opening the center in 2015.
Keep up to date with our training programs and learn more on how we partner with organizations and academic institutions to build capability and help improve the resilience of supply chains in vulnerable countries around the world.
2. Food Safety and Security Is Top of Mind for Consumers
To mark our Five Year Anniversary in September, the Mars GFSC commissioned a SURVEY to gauge consumer awareness and concerns around food safety and security. Our research found that more than half (52%) of consumers in the U.K., U.S., and China believe food safety and security is one of the three most important issues facing the world today. Our survey shows that food insecurity has been exacerbated by COVID-19; 73 percent of respondents believe the pandemic will impact the viability of the global supply chain; and 71 percent believe it will have impact on global access to food. Furthermore, 82 percent of survey respondents express a desire to learn more about food safety.
The Mars GFSC is committed to a strong and shared culture of collaboration as part of its commitment to help ensure safe food for all.
On 7 June, we were honored to partner with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to mark World Food Safety Day (WFSD) and shine a spotlight on the impact of COVID-19 in vulnerable countries and urge all stakeholders to act urgently to address supply chain and food system issues.
As the pandemic escalates, populations already malnourished, weak and vulnerable to disease could face famine as the virus threatens lives and livelihoods along with the trading network they rely on for survival.
To help raise awareness of this plight, the Mars GFSC participated in a Concordia COVID-19 series webinar, led by WFP entitled: ‘Partnerships for Food Safety and Security’, to discuss the effect of COVID-19 on food supplies, systems, people, environment, and business in vulnerable countries.
David Crean, Vice President of Corporate R&D and Chief Science Officer at Mars, took part in a panel led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): ‘Food safety in the COVID-19 Era and beyond: Solutions to strengthen food systems for resilient food security’ exploring how to maintain safe supply chains during a pandemic and minimize future disruptions to build more resilient food systems and ensure food security.
In October, the Mars GFSC marked World Food Day – an event led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to highlight their work to deliver Sustainable Development Goal 2, Zero Hunger.
The Mars GFSC took the opportunity to raise awareness of food safety and security issues through its Five Year Anniversary Celebration and reflect on the steps we can all take to address hunger, nourish people, nurture the planet and build the food system we want today for a better world tomorrow.
5. Recognizing Excellence: Mars Scientists Lead the Way in Cutting Edge Food Safety Science and Technology
We could not end the year without giving a shout out for the Mars GFSC’s top team of scientists, whose commitment, dedication and talent have created a step change in innovation and science at Mars.
And a rousing round of applause to our global partners. We are honored to work with you and look forward to collaborating with you next year to help tackle some of the world’s most significant food safety challenges and help ensure safe food for all for a better world tomorrow.
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