Geneva, June 4 (IANS). The World Health Organization (WHO) has cited ‘unsafe food’ as the cause of death of 15 lakh people every year. Quoting a report released on Wednesday, it has been warned that this problem affects small children the most. According to WHO, it still remains a major challenge for global health.
The report studied data from 194 countries between 2000 and 2021. It found that every year about 886 million people fall ill from eating unsafe food. This risk is almost three times higher in children under five years of age than in other people.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Food security is not just a health issue, but a matter related to the daily life of every family and every person. Safe food is the right of all people. For this, governments and society must work together.”
According to the report, cases of diseases caused by contaminated food have declined somewhat over the past two decades, but the situation still remains serious in many areas of the world. The highest number of cases have been reported in Africa and South-East Asia. These two regions account for approximately 75 percent of foodborne illness cases and 60 percent of deaths.
The study also found that biological factors such as bacteria and viruses are responsible for most diseases. At the same time, food contaminated with chemical elements like arsenic and lead is causing many serious deaths.
Experts say that climate change and increasing resistance to antibiotics are making this problem more serious. Due to rising temperatures and changing weather, the risk of food contamination is increasing, while treatment of infections is becoming difficult due to reduced effectiveness of medicines.
According to the report, the global economy suffered a loss of approximately $647 billion in the year 2021 due to foodborne diseases. WHO has appealed to all countries to take concrete steps towards strengthening the food security system and providing safe food to the people.
–IANS
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