The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently highlighted the global issue of foodborne illnesses, revealing that millions fall sick each day due to contaminated food.
Saima Wazed, the regional director at WHO, noted that children under five make up around 40 percent of those affected, heightening their risk of malnutrition and mortality. This announcement coincided with World Food Safety Day, observed annually on June 7.
"Every day, approximately 1.6 million people worldwide fall ill due to the consumption of unsafe food," stated Wazed. She emphasized that contaminated food not only affects health but also leads to reduced productivity and increased medical costs, amounting to an estimated annual loss of $110 billion in low- and middle-income countries.
Wazed further informed that Southeast Asia is the second most impacted region after Africa regarding food contamination. The tropical climate in Southeast Asia, which encourages the spread of pests and toxins, and the impacts of climate change, contribute significantly to the problem. She stressed that ensuring food safety is a shared responsibility among governments, producers, and consumers.
World Food Safety Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, aims to raise global awareness about food safety and encourage actions to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats associated with unsafe food. The theme for World Food Safety Day 2024 is "Prepare for the Unexpected," underscoring the importance of proactive measures in maintaining food safety for better health outcomes.