Industry Odisha Bureau, Jun 4: Pin-pointing on the unsafe food risks as well as the fatal impact of foodborne diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reportedly sounded an alarm and issued caution that unsafe food risks have been causing millions of illnesses and deaths annually worldwide, while children under five years of age are particularly vulnerable.
Highlighting the “High Incidence of Foodborne Diseases”, the WHO’s analysis covering 194 countries between 2000 and 2021 reportedly states: “Unsafe food causes an estimated 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually worldwide. Children under five are particularly vulnerable, suffering nearly one-third of all foodborne diseases.”
Highlighting the “Economic Impact”, the WHO’s analysis reportedly states: “Foodborne diseases resulted in around $310 billion in lost productivity in 2021 due to time away from work, and adjusted for differences in the cost of living, the economic losses rise to an estimated $647 billion.”
Highlighting the “Chemical Contamination”, the WHO’s analysis reportedly states: “Chemical hazards such as lead and methylmercury through food can damage developing brains and cause lifelong neurological and developmental problems in children.”
Highlighting the “Climate Change and Antimicrobial Resistance”, the WHO’s analysis reportedly states: “Foodborne diseases are being made worse by climate change, which increases contamination risks, and by antimicrobial resistance, which makes infections harder to treat.”
Thus, the WHO has reportedly laid utmost stress underlining: “Access to safe and nutritious food is essential for sustaining life and promoting good health.”
