WHO: 1.5 million die annually from contaminated food

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that unsafe food—contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or hazardous chemicals—remains a significant threat to global health. According to a WHO report on 7 June 2026, unsafe food causes approximately 866 million cases of disease and 1.5 million deaths annually worldwide.

WHO emphasised that children under the age of five are the most vulnerable group. Although they represent only about 9 per cent of the global population, this age group bears almost one-third of all food poisoning cases.

According to the WHO, toddlers face a risk of nearly three times higher of experiencing illnesses due to unsafe food compared to older children or adults. In 2021, they contributed to 29 per cent of the total health burden related to unsafe food, resulting in approximately 143,000 deaths.

WHO explained that diarrhoeal disease is one of the most common impacts experienced by children due to the consumption of contaminated food. Furthermore, exposure to harmful chemicals in food, such as methylmercury and lead, can disrupt brain development and cause lifelong neurological and developmental disorders.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that food safety is an issue that touches the daily lives of everyone. He noted that unsafe food has long been a global public health problem.

“Now, countries have their own data to see where the burden of the problem is highest. With this knowledge, governments can prioritise the necessary actions to protect public health,” said Tedros, as quoted by Euro News on Wednesday (10/6/2026).