WHO report says unsafe food kills 1.5 million people each year

The World Health Organization released a new analysis estimating that unsafe food causes about 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths worldwide annually. Children under five are disproportionately affected, facing almost three times the risk of food‑borne disease compared with older age groups and accounting for roughly one‑third of all cases.

The report highlights that most illnesses stem from biological hazards—bacteria, viruses and parasites—while chemical contaminants, especially inorganic arsenic (42 %) and lead (31 %), are responsible for the majority of deaths, representing 73 % of fatal cases. Africa and Southeast Asia together account for three‑quarters of all food‑borne illnesses and 60 % of deaths.

WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "Food safety is not an abstract issue: it concerns every meal, every family, every day." He noted that the new estimates provide governments with the data needed to prioritize interventions such as water and sanitation improvements, better hygiene, pasteurisation, and increased access to healthcare for vulnerable populations. The study also estimated economic losses of about $647 billion in 2021 due to reduced productivity and premature deaths.