The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that unsafe food causes a major global health burden each year. WHO estimates that contaminated food leads to 866 million illnesses worldwide annually, along with 1.5 million deaths. The new analysis covers 194 countries and examines data from 2000 to 2021.
WHO attributes illness to exposure to harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemicals present in food. The agency highlights that children aged under five are at greatest risk: they face almost three times the likelihood of unsafe-food-related illness compared with older children and adults. Several outlets also note the broader implications for health and development, describing the toll of unsafe food as significant for families and fragile economies.
The findings are based on WHO’s updated estimates and are presented as a warning on the importance of food safety to prevent contamination throughout the food chain. The reports emphasize that children are disproportionately affected, making food safety a key public health priority, particularly for households with young children.
