Unsafe food causes about 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually, with children under five facing nearly three times the risk of foodborne disease compared with older children and adults, according to new estimates released on Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Although they account for only 9 per cent of the global population, young children suffer nearly one-third of all foodborne disease cases, especially deadly diarrhoeal diseases. Exposure to chemical hazards such as methylmercury and lead in food can also harm developing brains and cause lifelong neurological problems.

The WHO estimates show that biological hazards were responsible for the vast majority of illnesses, causing about 860 million cases in 2021, while chemical hazards drove a disproportionate share of deaths, contributing to 73 per cent of foodborne deaths.

Most chemical-related deaths were linked to inorganic arsenic (42 per cent) and lead (31 per cent), due to increased risks of heart disease and cancers. While noting a decline in the total foodborne disease since 2000, the WHO said major regional inequalities persist, with the greatest burden in Africa and South-East Asia.

The agency stressed that many of these diseases could be prevented through improved water, sanitation, hygiene, food safety practices such as pasteurization, and healthcare access. The health impacts are accompanied by substantial economic losses. The study estimates that in 2021, foodborne disease led to about 310 billion U.S. dollars in lost productivity due to time away from work caused by illness.

When adjusted for cost-of-living differences between countries, the economic impact is estimated at 647 billion U.S. dollars.

“Food safety is not an abstract issue – it touches every meal, every family, every day,” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

“For the first time, countries have their own data to see where the burden is highest. With that knowledge, governments can prioritize actions to protect people’s health.”

The WHO foodborne disease study was released ahead of World Food Safety Day on June 7, 2026. This year’s theme is “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere.”

• A Tell Media / Xinhua report