Tainted Food Is Killing Far More People Than Previously Thought, WHO Says

Key Points:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 800 million people globally fall ill each year from foodborne diseases, with more than 1.5 million deaths annually, many of which are preventable through better sanitation and healthcare access.
• The latest WHO study, covering data from 194 countries between 2000 and 2021, identifies 42 sources of foodborne illness, including microbial pathogens and toxic metals like inorganic arsenic and lead, which are linked to a large proportion of deaths.
• Children under five represent nearly one-third of foodborne illness cases despite being only 9% of the global population, highlighting their vulnerability to unsafe food.
• The economic impact of foodborne diseases is significant, with an estimated $647 billion lost in productivity worldwide, and the highest burden of illness and death concentrated in African and Southeast Asian regions.
• WHO officials emphasize the need for a coordinated global response using a One Health approach, addressing climate change and antimicrobial resistance to improve food safety, surveillance, and cross-sector collaboration to reduce the toll of foodborne diseases.