Story perspectives

WHO: Unsafe Food Causes 866 M Illnesses, 1.5 M Deaths

6/5/2026

Summary

**WHO Reports Unsafe**

WHO reports unsafe food causes 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually, with children under five (9 % of population) accounting for nearly one-third.
Bacteria, viruses and parasites caused about 860 million illnesses in 2021, while chemicals were linked to 73 % of deaths.
Africa and Southeast Asia suffered three-quarters of illnesses and 60 % of deaths, with the disease burden costing $310 billion in lost productivity in 2021 and $647 billion when adjusted.

Summary

**WHO Flags Arsenic**

WHO released its latest global assessment of food-borne disease burden on 4 June 2026.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said food safety touches every meal and family.
The report, authored by Beyza Binnur Donmez, calls for stronger surveillance, regulation, and improved water, sanitation, hygiene, safer food practices, and health-care access to prevent many illnesses.
It identifies chemical hazards—particularly inorganic arsenic and lead—as the leading cause of food-related deaths worldwide.

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**WHO Reports Unsafe**

WHO reports unsafe food causes 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually, with children under five (9 % of population) accounting for nearly one-third.
Bacteria, viruses and parasites caused about 860 million illnesses in 2021, while chemicals were linked to 73 % of deaths.
Africa and Southeast Asia suffered three-quarters of illnesses and 60 % of deaths, with the disease burden costing $310 billion in lost productivity in 2021 and $647 billion when adjusted.

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