Unsafe Food Causes 1.5 Million Deaths Annually: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that unsafe food leads to approximately 1.5 million deaths globally each year. Children under five years old disproportionately bear the burden, representing nearly one-third of foodborne diseases, despite being only 9% of the global population.

Unsafe food includes contamination from biological agents, bacteria, parasites, and chemical substances such as heavy metals and toxins. In 2021, foodborne bacteria, viruses, and parasites caused around 860 million illnesses, while chemical contaminants accounted for 73% of food-related deaths.

Notably, inorganic arsenic and lead are linked to increased risks of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, contributing to over one million deaths in 2021. Food contamination is exacerbated by unsafe water, poor handling practices, and environmental pollution.

Africa and Southeast Asia account for nearly three-quarters of global foodborne illnesses, with 60% of related deaths occurring among people in low-resource settings. The economic impact of foodborne diseases was estimated at $310 billion in 2021, rising to approximately $647 billion when adjusted for cost of living differences.