WHO reports 1.5 million deaths yearly from unsafe food

The World Health Organization released a report ahead of World Food Safety Day warning that more than 860 million people fall ill each year from contaminated or poorly managed food, leading to an estimated 1.5 million deaths annually. The agency highlighted that food‑borne illnesses caused a productivity loss of about $310 billion in 2021.

Children under five are disproportionately affected, representing 29 % of the disease burden and accounting for 143 000 deaths in 2021. The report notes that Africa and Southeast Asia together account for roughly three‑quarters of all food‑related illnesses and 60 % of deaths worldwide. It also warns that climate change – through extreme weather, higher temperatures and altered rainfall patterns – will increase food‑safety risks. Improved water, sanitation, hygiene, and practices such as pasteurisation could prevent many of these illnesses and deaths.