WHO Says Unsafe Food Causes 866 Million Illnesses, 1.5 Million Deaths a Year
Updated
Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · Jun 4
WHO Says Unsafe Food Causes 866 Million Illnesses, 1.5 Million Deaths a Year
3 articles · Updated · World Health Organization (WHO) · Jun 4
Summary
Children under 5 face nearly triple the risk of foodborne illness and account for almost one-third of cases despite making up just 9% of the global population, WHO said in new estimates covering 194 countries.
866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths a year are tied to unsafe food, with biological hazards causing most illnesses while chemical contamination drove 73% of deaths in 2021.
Inorganic arsenic and lead were linked to more than 1 million deaths in one year, and WHO said Methylmercury exposure can cause lifelong neurological and developmental harm in children.
Africa and South-East Asia bear the heaviest burden, together accounting for nearly three-quarters of foodborne illnesses and 60% of deaths, even as the overall global burden has declined since 2000.
US$310 billion in lost productivity in 2021—rising to US$647 billion after cost-of-living adjustment—underscores WHO's call for tighter controls, better hygiene and stronger national surveillance ahead of World Food Safety Day.
Unsafe food costs developing nations billions. Is the global supply chain exporting risk to the world's most vulnerable?
Chemicals cause 73% of foodborne deaths. Are we ignoring the most dangerous poisons hiding in our daily meals?
Lead and arsenic were found in dozens of infant formulas. Why are babies still exposed to these known neurotoxins?
Unsafe Food Costs the World $310 Billion: WHO’s 2026 Foodborne Disease Report and the Global Call to Action
Overview
The WHO’s 2026 Foodborne Disease Estimates highlight the ongoing global challenge of foodborne illnesses, revealing that unsafe food causes an estimated US$ 310 billion in annual losses due to productivity and medical costs. The report shows that the African and South-East Asian regions are especially affected, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all cases and 60% of related deaths. These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions and stronger food safety systems in vulnerable areas, reinforcing the call for coordinated global action to reduce the health and economic impacts of unsafe food.