According to the FAO, in industrialized countries, up to 30 percent of people still suffer from food borne illnesses every year. Delegates at the meeting will discuss traditional problems like food poisoning, but also tackle new issues such as genetically modified foods, and growing antibiotic resistance in pathogens like salmonella.

Other discussions include the role of industry and consumers, and how science-based food safety regulations are perceived by them. Since 1963, the Codex Alimentarius, or the International Food Code which is administered jointly by the FAO and the WHO has set the standards for food additives, imports, inspects and food sampling methods. The Codex has served as the basis for many national food standards and is responsible for such common safeguards as "Best if used before" food label and definitions for low-fat and light food.

Many international organizations will be attending as observers including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the UN Environmental Program (UNEP), Unicef, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank and many others. The major participants in the forum will come from the regulatory bodies for food safety from the FAO and WHO member states.