Coronavirus | World could face a food crisis: UN, WTO
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus | World could face a food crisis: UN, WTO

The Hindu  

The heads of three global agencies warned on Wednesday of the risk of a worldwide “food shortage” if authorities fail to manage the ongoing COVID-19 crisis properly. “Uncertainty about food availability can spark a wave of export restrictions, creating a shortage on the global market,” said the joint text signed by Qu Dongyu, head of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization and Roberto Azevedo, director of the World Trade Organization. “In the midst of the COVID-19 lockdowns, every effort must be made to ensure that trade flows as freely as possible, specially to avoid food shortage” from developing, they said in their statement. “Such disruptions including hampering the movement of agricultural and food industry workers and extending border delays for food containers, result in the spoilage of perishables and increasing food waste,” said the three leaders.

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History of this topic

UN: 258 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2022
1 year, 8 months ago

UN: 258 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2022

Associated Press  

ROME — More than a quarter-billion people in 58 countries faced acute food insecurity last year because of conflicts, climate change, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to a report published Wednesday. The report found that that the number of people facing acute food insecurity and requiring urgent food aid — 258 million — …

It’s time we all come together to address the global food crisis
2 years, 5 months ago

It’s time we all come together to address the global food crisis

Al Jazeera  

Millions of lives are at stake and the world’s most vulnerable do not have the luxury of time. Even before the war, hunger and malnutrition were on the rise globally, with an unacceptable 823 million people going hungry in 2021 according to the recent edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report by five United …

UN chief warns of ‘catastrophe’ from global food shortage
2 years, 6 months ago

UN chief warns of ‘catastrophe’ from global food shortage

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The head of the United Nations warned Friday that the world faces “catastrophe” because of the growing shortage of food around the globe. “This year’s food access issues could become next year’s global food shortage,” he said. “No country will be immune to the social and economic repercussions of such a catastrophe.” Guterres said U.N. negotiators were working …

UN chief warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage
2 years, 6 months ago

UN chief warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage

India TV News  

Highlights United Nations chief warned that world faces “catastrophe” because of growing food shortage globally He said UN negotiators were working on a deal that would enable Ukraine to export food Russia exported as much wheat in May and June this year as in the same months of 2021 The head of the United Nations warned Friday that the world …

WTO ministers reach deals on fisheries, food, COVID vaccines
2 years, 6 months ago

WTO ministers reach deals on fisheries, food, COVID vaccines

India TV News  

Highlights WTO members have reached a string of deals and commitments aimed to limit overfishing WTO Director-General Nzogi Okonjo-Iweala concluded the WTO’s 1st ministerial conference in 4.5 yrs WTO members for 1st time concluded agreement with environmental sustainability, said Okonjo-Iweala World Trade Organization members have reached a string of deals and commitments aimed to limit overfishing, broaden production of COVID-19 …

Non-contributing countries seek ban on export curbs on World Food Programme
2 years, 6 months ago

Non-contributing countries seek ban on export curbs on World Food Programme

Live Mint  

Geneva: While nearly 81 World Trade Organisation member countries led by Singapore are seeking a ban on export restrictions for the World Food Programme at the ongoing ministerial meeting taking place in Geneva, data shows that most of them have not contributed to the United Nation’s programme. The WTO draft proposal-World Food Programme Food Purchases Exemption from Export Prohibitions or …

More free trade will not solve the food crisis
2 years, 7 months ago

More free trade will not solve the food crisis

Al Jazeera  

WTO has lost the trust of the people, and all governments must keep agricultural matters out of free trade agreements. Once again, G7 political leaders and wealthy nations are cheering for more free trade as a solution to ensure global food security. In short, the global food system, sustained by free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties, is failing once …

Ukraine war ‘aggravating’ existing global food crisis, UN warns
2 years, 7 months ago

Ukraine war ‘aggravating’ existing global food crisis, UN warns

Al Jazeera  

‘Food is available,’ Luca Russo, the FAO’s lead analyst for food crises, tells Al Jazeera. As the cost of food soars around the world, the United Nations warns that the war in Ukraine risks aggravating inflating prices and causing a full-on global food crisis. Luca Russo, the FAO’s lead analyst for food crises, told Al Jazeera that as Russia’s invasion …

Meat industry made ‘baseless’ claims of Covid shortages to press Trump to keep plants open, report says
2 years, 7 months ago

Meat industry made ‘baseless’ claims of Covid shortages to press Trump to keep plants open, report says

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy American meat producers used “baseless” claims of potential meat shortages …

How the Russia-Ukraine war, COVID and climate change are fuelling a growing global food crisis
2 years, 8 months ago

How the Russia-Ukraine war, COVID and climate change are fuelling a growing global food crisis

ABC  

The farmers sleep fully clothed so they are ready to run for shelter. The report said nearly 193 million people in 53 countries and territories faced "crisis", "emergency" or "catastrophic" levels of food security in 2021 — the highest since the report began gathering data in 2016. "We already had record-high food prices, even in January, that was basically the …

UN: Record Number of People without Enough to Eat in 2021, Ukraine War to Make Food Insecurity Worse
2 years, 8 months ago

UN: Record Number of People without Enough to Eat in 2021, Ukraine War to Make Food Insecurity Worse

News 18  

The United Nations said Wednesday that the number of people without enough to eat on a daily basis reached all-time high last year and is poised to hit appalling new levels as the Ukraine war affects global food production. Almost 193 million people in 53 countries suffered acute food insecurity in 2021 due to what the UN said was a …

US to spotlight war-caused food insecurity at 2 UN events
2 years, 8 months ago

US to spotlight war-caused food insecurity at 2 UN events

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The United States said Tuesday it will put a spotlight on the impact of the war in Ukraine and other conflicts on the diminishing availability of food and rising prices at two U.N. events later this month, an issue which has sparked fears of increasing hunger and starvation in many countries. The United States holds the rotating …

West Africa Faces Historic Food Crisis Driven by Conflict, Price Surge
2 years, 9 months ago

West Africa Faces Historic Food Crisis Driven by Conflict, Price Surge

News 18  

West Africa is facing its worst food crisis on record driven by conflict, drought, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on food prices and availability, aid agencies said on Tuesday. Large swathes of West Africa, including parts of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, are facing Islamist insurgencies that have forced millions of people off their land. “What …

Food companies, distributors prepare for disruptions as Covid cases surge
3 years ago

Food companies, distributors prepare for disruptions as Covid cases surge

India Today  

The FMCG sector is actively preparing to tackle any disruptions caused by rapidly rising Covid-19 cases in the country. Food companies, dealers and distributors are working towards increasing stocks of daily essential products such as cooking oil, rice, pulses, wheat and other items in order to avoid any supply disruptions due to local restrictions. Food manufacturing and processing companies have …

Viral #BidenEmptyShelves photos are actually from Trump’s America and Australia
3 years, 2 months ago

Viral #BidenEmptyShelves photos are actually from Trump’s America and Australia

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Facebook and Twitter have been flooded with memes …

World Food Safety Day 2021: Theme, History and Significance
3 years, 7 months ago

World Food Safety Day 2021: Theme, History and Significance

News 18  

Annually, June 7 is observed as the World Food Safety Day. History of World Food Safety Day 2021 Introduced in 2018 by the United Nations General Assembly, World Food Safety Day is aimed at alleviation and eventually eradication of food-borne diseases across the world. Significance of World Food Safety Day 2021: There has never been a more dire need to …

Australian exporters feel the pinch as shipping container shortage, COVID-19 protocols take a toll
3 years, 11 months ago

Australian exporters feel the pinch as shipping container shortage, COVID-19 protocols take a toll

ABC  

Australian food exporters are being caught in a global supply chain crunch as a shortage of food-grade shipping containers drives up costs and slashes the shelf life of fresh produce. Key points: Australian fresh produce exporters are struggling to source food-grade containers One major WA citrus producer has started planning its shipping stem six months in advance Producers are also …

Coronavirus detected on imported frozen food in China
4 years ago

Coronavirus detected on imported frozen food in China

India TV News  

An imported frozen food sample in the city of Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, tested positive for the novel coronavirus, local authorities said Tuesday. The sample was taken from a batch of frozen sliced pig ears imported from the United States as part of a regular screening before the entry of any imported frozen food into the city's cold storage …

EXPLAINER: China's claims of coronavirus on frozen foods
4 years, 1 month ago

EXPLAINER: China's claims of coronavirus on frozen foods

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. OVERSEAS COMPLAINTS Trading partners, including the U.S., New Zealand, …

Can you contract coronavirus through contaminated frozen food packaging?
4 years, 1 month ago

Can you contract coronavirus through contaminated frozen food packaging?

India Today  

Experts have voiced concerns over China's claim that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through contaminated frozen food packaging. Over the course of the past few months, China has banned frozen food imports from several countries citing the detection of Covid-19 on the packaging. In August of this year, Chinese authorities claimed that a sample taken from the surface of …

China's large-scale coronavirus tests on imported frozen foods may put more Australian exports on hold
4 years, 1 month ago

China's large-scale coronavirus tests on imported frozen foods may put more Australian exports on hold

ABC  

China has urged its ports to "take immediate action" to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission after it reportedly found cases it says are linked to contaminated frozen food packaging. Key points: Expert says China's positive test claims require further evidence Expert says China's positive test claims require further evidence Australian exporters sold $10.6 billion worth of food in China …

China’s irritated trade partners push back on COVID-19 food tests
4 years, 1 month ago

China’s irritated trade partners push back on COVID-19 food tests

Al Jazeera  

Canada calls China’s rejection of food products that had positive tests for COVID-19 ‘unjustified trade restrictions’. In a World Trade Organization meeting on November 5-6, Canada called China’s testing of imported foods and rejection of products that had positive nucleic acid tests “unjustified trade restrictions” and urged it to stop the practice, said a Geneva-based trade official briefed on the …

Countries start hoarding food as prices rise and covid worsens
4 years, 2 months ago

Countries start hoarding food as prices rise and covid worsens

Live Mint  

Agricultural commodity buyers from Cairo to Islamabad have been on a shopping spree since the Covid-19 pandemic upended supply chains. “The result is that consumers are holding more inventory as a precaution against future supply disruptions.” A number of factors are adding to a rally in prices for corn, wheat and soybeans, including floods in China and the country’s increased …

Beijing restricts frozen food import from high-risk covid places
4 years, 3 months ago

Beijing restricts frozen food import from high-risk covid places

Live Mint  

China’s capital city urged companies to halt imports of frozen food from countries that have been severely hit by the pandemic as fears continue to mount over the possibility of transmission through packaging. The Beijing city government on Monday told companies to avoid importing frozen food from high-risk nations, without naming any. Chinese customs and local governments have repeatedly detected …

US lacks mandatory safety measures to protect meat workers from COVID-19: media
4 years, 3 months ago

US lacks mandatory safety measures to protect meat workers from COVID-19: media

China Daily  

Butchers at Old Fashion Country Butcher process meat as they work to meet increased demand due to COVID-19 related shortages on May 21, 2020 in Santa Paula, California. NEW YORK -- The United States "has yet to impose any mandatory safety measures" on meat plants to protect their workers from contracting COVID-19, issuing only voluntary guidelines, Bloomberg reported Monday. The …

世卫组织：新冠病毒不会通过食品和包装传播
4 years, 4 months ago

世卫组织：新冠病毒不会通过食品和包装传播

China Daily  

近日，新西兰再现新冠肺炎本土病例，感染源疑似来自冷冻食品包装。世界卫生组织则表示，没有证据表明新冠病毒能通过食品和包装传播。 Vairous products are displayed in the frozen food department at a supermarket of Swiss retail group Migros, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues, in Zurich, Switzerland June 24, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann The World Health Organization said on Thursday it saw no evidence of coronavirus being spread by food or packaging and urged people not to be afraid …

WHO plays down China's worry over coronavirus on food packaging after chicken wings found with COVID-19
4 years, 4 months ago

WHO plays down China's worry over coronavirus on food packaging after chicken wings found with COVID-19

ABC  

The World Health Organisation has moved to allay fears coronavirus could be spreading via food shipments. Key points: A WHO spokesman said people should not fear food, food packaging or processing or delivery of food A WHO spokesman said people should not fear food, food packaging or processing or delivery of food China had tested hundreds of thousands of packages …

WHO says food safe from coronavirus
4 years, 4 months ago

WHO says food safe from coronavirus

Live Mint  

The World Health Organization on Thursday urged people not to fear catching the novel coronavirus from food, after Chinese testers found traces on food and food packaging. The virus was found Tuesday in the Chinese city of Shenzhen during a routine check on samples of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil, city authorities said. "People are already scared enough and …

Global hunger, obesity are getting worse due to coronavirus fallout
4 years, 5 months ago

Global hunger, obesity are getting worse due to coronavirus fallout

Live Mint  

Hunger and malnourishment is increasing around the world as the coronavirus crisis pushes more people into poverty and limits access to healthy diets, according to the United Nations. Almost 690 million people were undernourished last year, the most since 2009, and the pandemic could tip as many as 132 million people into chronic hunger by the end of this year, …

Heavy traces of coronavirus found in seafood, meat sections of Beijing food market
4 years, 6 months ago

Heavy traces of coronavirus found in seafood, meat sections of Beijing food market

Deccan Chronicle  

Beijing: China has found the trading sections for meat and seafood in Beijing’s wholesale food market to be severely contaminated with the new coronavirus and suspects the area’s low temperature and high humidity may have been contributing factors, officials said on Thursday. Their preliminary report comes as the country’s capital tackles a resurgence of COVID-19 cases over the past week …

Very low risk of food spreading the coronavirus, say experts
4 years, 6 months ago

Very low risk of food spreading the coronavirus, say experts

Live Mint  

Food poses little risk of spreading the coronavirus, health experts around the globe said, reassuring consumers after an outbreak in Beijing was blamed on imported fish. The view was echoed by Kate Grusich, a spokeswoman for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who said the poor survivability of coronaviruses on surfaces means “there is likely very low risk …

Concern mounts over food supplies
4 years, 7 months ago

Concern mounts over food supplies

China Daily  

A vendor piles sacks of rice for sale in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The country has announced that a two-month ban on the export of standard-grade white rice, imposed to ensure sufficient domestic supplies of staple foods during the coronavirus crisis, will be lifted on Wednesday. HENG SINITH/AP Fears voiced as some nations impose export restrictions Editor's note: The world faces …

Concern mounts over food supplies
4 years, 7 months ago

Concern mounts over food supplies

China Daily  

A vendor piles sacks of rice for sale in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The country has announced that a two-month ban on the export of standard-grade white rice, imposed to ensure sufficient domestic supplies of staple foods during the coronavirus crisis, will be lifted on Wednesday. HENG SINITH/AP Fears voiced as some nations impose export restrictions Editor's note: The world faces …

Concern mounts over food supplies
4 years, 7 months ago

Concern mounts over food supplies

China Daily  

Food packages from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are distributed in Tripoli, Libya, during the holy month of Ramadan. AYMAN AL-SAHILI/REUTERS Crisis an opportunity Qu Dongyu, head of the FAO, said at a joint meeting of agriculture ministers from G20 countries on May 4 that the pandemic is having an impact on food security and nutrition, and called …

Concern mounts over food supplies
4 years, 7 months ago

Concern mounts over food supplies

China Daily  

A vendor piles sacks of rice for sale in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The country has announced that a two-month ban on the export of standard-grade white rice, imposed to ensure sufficient domestic supplies of staple foods during the coronavirus crisis, will be lifted on Wednesday. HENG SINITH/AP Fears voiced as some nations impose export restrictions Editor's note: The world faces …

Concern mounts over food supplies
4 years, 7 months ago

Concern mounts over food supplies

China Daily  

Food packages from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are distributed in Tripoli, Libya, during the holy month of Ramadan. AYMAN AL-SAHILI/REUTERS Crisis an opportunity Qu Dongyu, head of the FAO, said at a joint meeting of agriculture ministers from G20 countries on May 4 that the pandemic is having an impact on food security and nutrition, and called …

Concern mounts over food supplies
4 years, 7 months ago

Concern mounts over food supplies

China Daily  

A vendor piles sacks of rice for sale in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The country has announced that a two-month ban on the export of standard-grade white rice, imposed to ensure sufficient domestic supplies of staple foods during the coronavirus crisis, will be lifted on Wednesday. HENG SINITH/AP Fears voiced as some nations impose export restrictions Editor's note: The world faces …

Concern mounts over food supplies
4 years, 7 months ago

Concern mounts over food supplies

China Daily  

Social distancing is practiced as rice supplies are distributed to people in Jakarta, Indonesia. AJENG DINAR ULFIANA/REUTERS Countries most at risk The FAO said in a statement that it estimates 821 million people, or nearly 11 percent of the global population, are undernourished, the highest rate since 2011. "Now is the time to show solidarity, act responsibly and adhere to …

Major grocery chains rationing meat purchases to curb hoarding
4 years, 8 months ago

Major grocery chains rationing meat purchases to curb hoarding

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Some of the biggest …

The real reason Trump treats meatpacking workers as disposable (opinion)
4 years, 8 months ago

The real reason Trump treats meatpacking workers as disposable (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Raul A. Reyes is an attorney and a member of the USA Today board of contributors. Raul A. Reyes CNN Tuesday, he used the Defense Production Act to order meat and poultry processing plants to stay open, despite the coronavirus pandemic. “We’re working very hard,” Trump said, “to make sure our food supply chain is sound and plentiful.” …

One of America’s biggest meat processors warns ‘the food supply chain is breaking’ in open letter
4 years, 8 months ago

One of America’s biggest meat processors warns ‘the food supply chain is breaking’ in open letter

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. John Tyson, the chairman of Tyson Food, says …

Coronavirus Outbreak: COVID-19 exposes lacunae in India's food security, system needs overhaul from production to last-mile delivery
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus Outbreak: COVID-19 exposes lacunae in India's food security, system needs overhaul from production to last-mile delivery

Firstpost  

One of the most critical challenges that the current coronavirus pandemic has underscored is India’s ability of the food sector to effectively cope with crisis situations. The global coronavirus health crisis, inter alia, has exposed the systemic deficiencies in India’s food security systems and the tilted priorities between its defence and food sector. Food security Coming to the other side …

Coronavirus pandemic ‘may cause famine of biblical proportions’, UN food chief warns
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus pandemic ‘may cause famine of biblical proportions’, UN food chief warns

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Global famines of ‘biblical proportions’ will be caused by coronavirus pandemic, UN warns
4 years, 8 months ago

Global famines of ‘biblical proportions’ will be caused by coronavirus pandemic, UN warns

CNN  

London CNN — The world is facing multiple famines of “biblical proportions” in just a matter of months, the UN has said, warning that the coronavirus pandemic will push an additional 130 million people to the brink of starvation. Famines could take hold in “about three dozen countries” in a worst-case scenario, the executive director of the World Food Programme …

Global hunger could double due to coronavirus pandemic: UN
4 years, 8 months ago

Global hunger could double due to coronavirus pandemic: UN

Al Jazeera  

COVID-19 is likely to leave 130 million people acutely hungry this year, adding to 135 million already in the category. The number of people facing acute food insecurity could nearly double this year to 265 million due to the economic fallout of COVID-19, according to the United Nations World Food Programme. New report Tuesday’s fourth annual Global Report on Food …

The Coronavirus Reveals The 'Invisible Inequalities' In Our Food System
4 years, 8 months ago

The Coronavirus Reveals The 'Invisible Inequalities' In Our Food System

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Americans are worried about food, many for the first time in their lives. Every single part of the food system is affected by, starting from production and where we are going to get people to harvest food if they’re not allowed to be near each other or come into the country. Bill Hayes We’re seeing the shelves …

U.S. Meat Supply Is 'Perilously Close' To A Shortage, CEO Warns
4 years, 8 months ago

U.S. Meat Supply Is 'Perilously Close' To A Shortage, CEO Warns

NPR  

U.S. Meat Supply Is 'Perilously Close' To A Shortage, CEO Warns Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Groves/AP Stephen Groves/AP Updated at 2:25 p.m. And the company's CEO warned that the coronavirus pandemic is pushing the nation's meat supply "perilously close" to the edge. Sponsor Message "The closure of this facility, combined with a growing list of other protein plants …

Virus puts brakes on US economic engine: consumer spending
4 years, 8 months ago

Virus puts brakes on US economic engine: consumer spending

Associated Press  

The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed. — The federal Health and Human Services department says it’s releasing the first $30 billion in grants provided by the stimulus bill to help keep the U.S. health care system operating during the coronavirus outbreak. Toyoda, speaking as head of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers …

Coronavirus outbreak will push a vast section deeper into poverty and hunger; governments must take these steps to ease suffering
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus outbreak will push a vast section deeper into poverty and hunger; governments must take these steps to ease suffering

Firstpost  

Despite the lockdown, state governments or the Union government should make special provisions to ensure that unemployed workers return home, either to be rid of the burden of paying extra for a roof, or to escape shelters and camps where an outbreak of COVID-19 could spread calamitously. The International Labour Organisation made public a report on 7 April in which …

Covid-19 could threaten global food supply, UN warns
4 years, 8 months ago

Covid-19 could threaten global food supply, UN warns

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — As the novel coronavirus pandemic shuts down businesses globally and sends countries into lockdown, the disruptions are threatening to cut off supply chains and increase food insecurity. “But a protracted pandemic crisis could quickly put a strain on the food supply chains, a complex web of interactions involving farmers, agricultural inputs, processing plants, shipping, retailers and …

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