WHO report: Contaminated food kills 1.5 million people globally each year

A new World Health Organization report reveals that contaminated food causes 866 million cases of illness and 1.5 million deaths annually. Children under five are at greatest risk. Deaths are often caused by chemical substances found in food, such as arsenic and lead.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report highlighting the critical state of food safety globally. According to WHO data, contaminated food causes 866 million cases of illness annually and 1.5 million deaths – figures that make food safety one of the most significant public health challenges on a global scale.

Children are most at risk

The situation is particularly concerning among young children. Children under five have an almost three times greater risk of becoming ill from foodborne diseases than adults, making this age group especially vulnerable. WHO experts emphasize that the youngest suffer disproportionately from inadequate food safety.

While most cases of illness are caused by bacteria and viruses that spread through food, the main causes of deaths are often chemical substances. Toxins present in food such as arsenic and lead pose a particularly serious threat, as their effects are often long-term and difficult to detect.

A global public health problem

The report stresses that food safety problems do not affect only low-income countries – this is a truly global challenge that requires international cooperation and coordinated action. The WHO calls on countries to strengthen food safety surveillance systems and invest in prevention measures to reduce both the number of illnesses and deaths.