WHO estimates unsafe food causes 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually

The World Health Organization released new estimates on 3 June 2026 indicating that unsafe food causes 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually. Children under five face nearly three times the risk of illness compared to older groups and account for nearly one-third of cases. The analysis, covering 42 hazards across 194 countries from 2000 to 2021, highlights significant regional inequalities, with Africa and South-East Asia bearing the greatest burden. Chemical hazards, particularly inorganic arsenic and lead, accounted for 73% of deaths in 2021. The report estimates a global economic loss of US$310 billion to US$647 billion in lost productivity.

Despite comprising just 9% of the global population, young children suffer from nearly one-third of all foodborne disease cases. The WHO notes that exposure to chemical hazards such as methylmercury and lead in food can harm the developing brain, causing lifelong neurological and developmental problems. While biological hazards like bacteria and viruses caused approximately 860 million illnesses in 2021, chemical exposures drove a disproportionate share of fatalities. Inorganic arsenic was linked to 42% of chemical-related deaths, and lead to 31%, largely due to increased risks of heart disease and cancers.

The study reveals for the first time the burden of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and intellectual disability resulting from dietary exposure to metals. Although the total foodborne disease burden has declined since 2000, major regional inequalities persist. Africa and South-East Asia together account for nearly three-quarters of all foodborne illnesses and 60% of global deaths. The WHO calls on governments to prevent contamination at the source through better agricultural practices, stricter industrial controls, and stronger environmental regulations.

The global economic impact of foodborne disease in 2021 was estimated at US$310 billion in lost productivity, rising to US$647 billion when adjusted for cost-of-living differences. Yuki Minato, WHO technical officer for food safety and senior author of the paper published in The Lancet Global Health, described the report as a wake-up call and a roadmap. She emphasized that foodborne diseases are being exacerbated by climate change, which increases contamination risks, and antimicrobial resistance, which makes infections harder to treat.

These findings were published ahead of World Food Safety Day on 7 June 2026, with the theme “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere.” The WHO estimates are intended to support national risk ranking, enabling governments to compare food safety threats and allocate resources more effectively. Experts from the WHO presented these findings during a webinar on 4 June 2026, with detailed data available via an interactive online dashboard.