WHO Sounds Global Alarm as Unsafe Food Claims 1.5 Million Lives Every Year
Children under five among the hardest hit as contaminated food causes hundreds of millions of illnesses and billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that unsafe food causes an estimated 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths globally every year, warning that contaminated food remains one of the world’s most underestimated public health threats. The report highlights the devastating impact on children, vulnerable communities, and economies across Africa and Asia.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised fresh concerns over the growing global burden of foodborne diseases, revealing that unsafe food is responsible for approximately 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths every year worldwide.
The alarming figures were released ahead of this year’s World Food Safety Day, observed annually on June 7, and underscore the enormous health and economic consequences of contaminated food.
According to the WHO, food contamination remains one of the most overlooked threats to public health despite its widespread impact on millions of people every year.
Children Face the Greatest Risk
The report identified children under the age of five as the most vulnerable group.
Although they make up only about nine per cent of the world’s population, they account for nearly one-third of all foodborne diseases globally.
Many of these cases involve severe diarrhoeal illnesses that can become life-threatening, particularly in countries with limited healthcare access.
Health experts also warned that exposure to toxic substances such as lead and methylmercury through contaminated food can permanently affect children’s brain development and cause lifelong neurological disorders.
Tedros: Every Meal Matters
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the findings as a wake-up call for governments and public health authorities.
“Food safety is not an abstract issue — it touches every meal, every family, every day.”
He noted that while unsafe food has long been recognised as a public health concern, the latest research provides a clearer picture of its staggering human and economic cost.
Bacteria Cause Most Illnesses, Chemicals Cause Most Deaths
The study found that bacteria, viruses, and parasites were responsible for the majority of foodborne illnesses, causing around 860 million cases in 2021 alone.
However, chemical contamination emerged as the leading cause of deaths linked to unsafe food.
According to the WHO, chemical hazards accounted for approximately 73 per cent of all deaths associated with contaminated food in 2021.
Among the most dangerous substances identified were inorganic arsenic and lead, both of which have been linked to heart disease, cancer, and other serious health conditions following prolonged exposure.
Together, these chemicals were associated with more than one million deaths in a single year.
Africa Among Worst-Hit Regions
The report revealed that Africa and Southeast Asia carry the heaviest burden of foodborne diseases globally.
Combined, both regions account for nearly three-quarters of all foodborne illnesses and approximately 60 per cent of related deaths worldwide.
The WHO attributed the trend to challenges such as poor sanitation, inadequate food safety systems, limited healthcare access, and weak regulatory enforcement.
People living in low-income communities remain particularly vulnerable to the dangers posed by contaminated food and water.
Economic Cost Runs Into Billions
Beyond its impact on health, unsafe food is also taking a heavy toll on the global economy.
WHO estimates that foodborne diseases led to approximately $310 billion in lost productivity in 2021 due to illness-related absences from work.
When adjusted for global purchasing power differences, total economic losses rise to an estimated $647 billion annually.
Climate Change and Pollution Worsening the Problem
The report warned that climate change, environmental pollution, and antimicrobial resistance are making the food safety challenge even more complex.
Food can become contaminated through unsafe water sources, improper handling, industrial pollution, and toxic chemicals entering the food chain.
Once dangerous substances such as lead, arsenic, and methylmercury enter food systems, experts say they are often difficult or impossible to eliminate completely.
WHO technical officer and lead author of the study, Yuki Minato, stressed that urgent action is needed.
“This report is a wake-up call — but also a roadmap.”
She warned that delays in addressing food safety risks could have devastating consequences for public health.
“Delay costs lives,” Minato said.
Call for Urgent Action
The WHO is urging governments to strengthen food safety regulations, improve disease surveillance, enhance public awareness, and promote closer collaboration between health, agriculture, and environmental sectors.
Experts believe that stronger food safety systems could significantly reduce illness, save lives, and protect economies from billions of dollars in avoidable losses every year.
As World Food Safety Day approaches, the message from global health authorities is clear: ensuring safe food is not just a health priority—it is a matter of life and death.
