Geneva: Unsafe food is responsible for approximately 1.5 million deaths and 866 million illnesses worldwide every year, creating a health burden comparable to tuberculosis, according to new research by the World Health Organization (WHO) published in The Lancet.
The study highlights the significant global impact of foodborne diseases, which continue to pose a major threat to public health despite advances in food safety systems in many countries. Contaminated food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or chemicals can lead to a wide range of illnesses, from mild gastrointestinal infections to severe and life-threatening conditions.
Researchers found that foodborne diseases affect people across all age groups, but young children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable. The report emphasizes that low- and middle-income countries bear a disproportionate share of the burden due to limited access to safe food handling practices, clean water, and effective food safety regulations.
According to WHO experts, the scale of illness and death linked to unsafe food remains underestimated in many regions. The findings underscore the urgent need for stronger food safety measures throughout the supply chain, from production and processing to transportation, storage, and consumption.
The organization called on governments, food producers, and consumers to work together to improve food hygiene standards, strengthen surveillance systems, and invest in public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing food contamination.
WHO officials noted that ensuring food safety is not only critical for protecting public health but also for supporting economic development, reducing healthcare costs, and improving food security worldwide.
The study’s authors stressed that greater international cooperation and sustained investments in food safety infrastructure will be essential to reducing the global burden of foodborne diseases and preventing millions of illnesses and deaths in the years ahead.
