By MONICA KAYOMBO/Zambia, Lusaka,
A NEW study published in the Lancet Global Health and highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO) ahead of the recently commemorated World Food Safety day has revealed that unsafe food causes an estimated 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths worldwide every year.
The findings underscore the significant but often overlooked impact of contaminated food on public health, economic development and vulnerable populations.
The study shows that children under the age of five are among the most affected. Although they constitute only nine per cent of the global population, they account for nearly one-third of all food-borne disease cases, particularly diarrhoeal illnesses that can be life-threatening.
According to the findings, Africa and South-East Asia carry the greatest burden, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all foodborne illnesses and 60 per cent of global deaths linked to unsafe food. The burden is driven by continued exposure to bacteria, viruses, parasites and harmful chemical contaminants, compounded by inequalities in healthcare access, sanitation and food safety systems.
The research, which was published in The Lancet Global Health, was highlighted in a WHO statement issued ahead of World Food Safety Day. Additional information was drawn from publications by WHO, the United Nations and The Lancet Global Health.
This version ensures proper attribution to The Lancet Global Health as the source of the research while recognizing WHO’s role in communicating the findings and the contribution of information from WHO, UN and Lancet sources.
