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 threat to global health. According to a WHO report from 7 June 2026, unsafe food causes approximately 866 million cases of illness and 1.5 million deaths annually worldwide. The WHO stressed that children under five years of age are the most vulnerable group. Despite comprising only about 9 percent of the global population, this age group suffers nearly one-third of all food poisoning cases. According to the WHO, toddlers face a nearly three times higher risk of illness from unsafe food compared to older children or adults. In 2021, they accounted for 29 percent of the total health burden related to unsafe food and led to approximately 143,000 deaths. The WHO explained that diarrhoeal disease is one of the most common impacts experienced by children due to the consumption of contaminated food. In addition, exposure to hazardous 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 said food safety is an issue that touches everyone’s daily life. According to him, unsafe food has long been a global public health problem. “Countries now 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 cited by Euro News on Wednesday (10/6/2026).