Water is Vital to Food Safety – World Water Week 2024

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MEDIA CONTACT

Nick Kordsmeier

U of A System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 575-6368  |  nkordsme@uark.edu

As the World Water Week conference concludes this week, Arkansas Center for Food Safety director Kristen Gibson reflects on the essential connection between water and food safety.

“As the director of the Center for Food Safety this may be surprising to some, but my first research passion was investigating microbial water quality and the efficacy of household treatment technologies,” Gibson said. “However, I have always understood the connection of water quality to the safety of our food supply.

“Water quality is a critical component in ensuring food safety, as water is used at multiple stages in the food production process — from irrigation to processing and cleaning. Contaminated water can introduce harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, into the food supply, posing significant risks to public health. By monitoring and improving microbial water quality, we can prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and protect the integrity of our food systems.”

World Water Week is an annual conference held since 1991 to focus on global water issues. The nonprofit event, which has been held online and in Stockholm, Sweden, is co-created with key collaborating partners from around the globe, including the Walton Family Foundation.

“Ensuring safe water practices is essential to maintaining public health and safeguarding our communities,” Gibson said.