WHO Warns Unsafe Food Kills 1.5 Mln Annually

The World Health Organization has warned that contaminated food remains a major global health threat, causing an estimated 1.5 million deaths each year, particularly among children.

According to the WHO, food contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or harmful chemicals leads to hundreds of millions of illnesses annually.

An analysis covering 194 countries between 2000 and 2021 found that around 886 million people suffer from foodborne diseases each year. Children under the age of five are three times more likely to be affected than other age groups.

The report identified Africa and Southeast Asia as the hardest-hit regions, accounting for nearly three-quarters of global foodborne illness cases and about 60% of related deaths.

The WHO called for stronger food safety measures to reduce the growing burden of preventable diseases linked to contaminated food.