WHO: Unsafe Food Causes 866 Million Illnesses and 1.5 Million Deaths Each Year

Fez – Unsafe food causes around 866 million cases of illness and 1.5 million deaths worldwide every year, with children under the age of five bearing a disproportionate share of the burden, according to new estimates published by the World Health Organization (WHO) ahead of World Food Safety Day on June 7.

Although young children account for only 9% of the global population, they represent nearly one-third of all foodborne illness cases. 

The WHO said children under five are almost three times more likely to become ill from contaminated food than older children and adults.

Diarrheal diseases linked to unsafe food remain one of the deadliest threats for this age group. 

The organization also warned that exposure to harmful chemicals such as methylmercury and lead can cause permanent neurological damage and developmental disorders.

According to the WHO, most of the roughly 860 million foodborne illness cases recorded in 2021 were caused by biological hazards, including bacteria, viruses and parasites. 

However, chemical contaminants were responsible for a much larger share of deaths, accounting for 73% of all fatalities linked to contaminated food.

Inorganic arsenic and lead were identified as the most dangerous chemical risks. 

The WHO estimated that arsenic was associated with 42% of food-related deaths, while lead accounted for 31%, largely due to their contribution to cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

The report noted that the overall burden of foodborne diseases has declined since 2000. 

However, major regional disparities remain. 

Africa and Southeast Asia continue to carry the heaviest burden, accounting for nearly three-quarters of global illness cases and 60% of all deaths.

Beyond its health impact, unsafe food also carries a high economic cost. 

The WHO estimated that productivity losses caused by illness-related absences reached $310 billion in 2021. 

After adjusting for differences in living costs between countries, that figure rises to $647 billion.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said food safety affects every meal and every family, adding that the new data provides governments with a clearer picture of the scale of the problem and the areas where prevention efforts should be strengthened.

The analysis examined 42 major food-related hazards across 194 countries between 2000 and 2021. 

It also included several risks that had previously received limited attention, such as certain heavy metals, rotavirus and the parasite responsible for Chagas disease.

The WHO is urging governments to strengthen food safety controls throughout the supply chain, including agricultural practices, industrial processes and environmental regulations, in order to reduce contamination at its source.

The organization also warned that climate change is increasing contamination risks, while antimicrobial resistance is making foodborne infections more difficult to treat. 

Researchers behind the study said the findings should serve both as a warning and as a guide for policymakers seeking to reduce the global burden of foodborne diseases through a coordinated approach that links human, animal, plant and environmental health.