The data highlights the scale of the problem, showing that contaminated food remains a major but often overlooked threat to public health, economic development and vulnerable communities.
The WHO said young children are disproportionately impacted. Although children under five account for just 9% of the global population, they suffer nearly one-third of all foodborne diseases.
Many cases involve severe diarrhoeal illnesses, which can be fatal, placing a particularly heavy burden on families and health systems.
The agency also warned that exposure to harmful chemicals in food, such as lead and methylmercury, can damage brain development and lead to lifelong neurological and developmental challenges in children.
The report found that bacteria, viruses and parasites remain the primary cause of foodborne illness, accounting for about 860 million cases in 2021 alone.
However, chemical contamination is responsible for the majority of deaths. According to the WHO, chemical hazards accounted for 73% of deaths linked to unsafe food in 2021.
Substances such as inorganic arsenic and lead were identified as the leading contributors, largely due to long-term exposure increasing the risk of diseases such as heart conditions and cancer.
Together, these chemicals were linked to more than one million deaths in a single year. Food contamination can occur through unsafe water, poor handling practices and environmental pollution, including industrial activity that introduces toxins into the food chain.
The impact of unsafe food is not evenly distributed. Africa and Southeast Asia account for nearly three-quarters of all foodborne illnesses and about 60% of deaths, reflecting structural inequalities in sanitation, healthcare access and food systems.
Vulnerable populations, particularly those in low-resource settings, face the highest risk. Beyond health impacts, foodborne diseases are placing a heavy economic burden.
The WHO estimates that losses linked to reduced productivity reached about $310 billion in 2021, rising to around $647 billion when adjusted for cost-of-living differences.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said food safety affects everyday life and must be treated as a priority. The agency said the new data provides a clearer picture of the global burden and should help countries better target interventions.
Experts also warned that the problem is being worsened by climate change, which increases contamination risks, and antimicrobial resistance, which makes infections more difficult to treat.
The WHO is calling for stronger surveillance, better regulation and closer coordination between health, agriculture and environmental sectors to reduce the impact of unsafe food worldwide.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
