WHO Warns Unsafe Food Kills 1.5 Mln People Annually

Unsafe food causes illness in more than 860 million people and claims nearly 1.5 million lives worldwide each year, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Released ahead of World Food Safety Day on June 7, the report warns that food contamination and poor food-handling practices remain major global health and economic challenges.

The WHO estimated that foodborne diseases resulted in productivity losses of around $310 billion in 2021 due to illness and work absences. 

The organization said much of the burden could be prevented through improved water and sanitation services, stronger food safety measures, and better healthcare access for vulnerable populations.

The report also warned that climate change could increase the spread of foodborne illnesses, as rising temperatures and extreme weather events create conditions that favor harmful pathogens and contaminants.

Children under five face the highest risk, accounting for nearly 29% of the global health burden linked to unsafe food and 143,000 deaths in 2021. Africa and Southeast Asia bear the heaviest impact, representing about 75% of foodborne disease cases and 60% of related deaths worldwide.

The WHO identified bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, toxin-producing E. coli, and Listeria among the leading causes of severe foodborne illnesses.