The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around the world, 1 in 10 people are sickened by foodborne illness annually. To strengthen the global food system and reduce foodborne illness, WHO created a global strategy for food safety. In January, the U.S. withdrew from the WHO.
“Ceasing coordination and cooperation globally could substantially affect food safety and nutrition security,” says Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security Director Barb Kowalcyk. “Without the collaboration in place to alert or be alerted about foodborne disease outbreaks, our food system could be significantly weakened, and the number of people who get sick could substantially increase.”
In January, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his state was joining the WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). This month, Illinois and New York City also announced they are joining GOARN.
Kowalcyk says, “States and cities recognize the importance of participating in international surveillance efforts and have responsibly stepped up to ensure that they can protect public health in their communities.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. exports have more than tripled in the last 25 years. The nation exported $176 billion in agricultural products — most of them high-value processed products, such as meat, milk, beverages, fruits and vegetables — in 2024. The department attributes the growth to global increases in income and globally diversifying diets.
“What we’re seeing is a globally growing food supply,” says Kowalcyk. “That requires international collaboration around food safety. Not being part of that collaboration could have ramifications.”
GOARN is a WHO network of over 360 institutions and networks focused on supporting the prevention and control of outbreaks and public health emergencies. GOARN works in partnership with the FAO/WHO International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) to facilitate rapid exchange of information during food safety events.
“I hope that if there’s a foodborne outbreak or emergency, the state and municipal ties to WHO and GOARN will benefit all Americans,” Kowalcyk says.