WHO: Contaminated Food Kills 1.5 Million People Annually

The World Health Organization warned Thursday that health risks from contaminated food are rising globally, with contaminated food causing approximately 1.5 million deaths each year. An analysis covering 194 countries from 2000 to 2021 found that roughly 886 million people contract foodborne illnesses annually. Children under the age of 5 face risks about three times higher than other age groups. Africa and Southeast Asia together account for about three-quarters of global cases and 60 percent of deaths. WHO food safety technical officer Yuki Minato said climate change and antibiotic resistance are worsening the situation. Foodborne illnesses caused approximately $647 billion in economic losses in 2021, according to the report.