By Admin 
Food Safety: A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed shocking figures regarding food safety. According to the report, every year lakhs of people are falling ill due to dirty and spoiled food, while a large number of people are also losing their lives. The most worrying thing is that small children are becoming the biggest victims of this menace. The risk of diseases caused by bad food in children under five years of age is almost three times higher than that of older children and adults. The share of these children in the total population of the world is only 9 percent, but about one-third of the cases of food borne diseases are related to them.
Why are young children most at risk?
According to WHO report, the immune system of small children does not grow completely. This is the reason why people get easily affected by bacteria, viruses and parasites present in spoiled food. Many diseases caused by bad food are related to diarrhea. Diarrhea can prove fatal for small children, because it causes deficiency of water and essential nutrients in the body.
Crores of people fell ill in 2021
According to the report, in the year 2021 alone, about 866 million people across the world fell ill due to spoiled food. Around 15 lakh people died there. Experts believe that a large number of these deaths and diseases could have been prevented. If clean water is available, food is prepared and stored properly, cleanliness is taken care of and timely treatment is provided, then this risk can be reduced to a great extent.
The chemicals present in food are so dangerous
People often think that eating bad food only means infection with bacteria or viruses, but WHO has warned that some chemicals present in food can also be very dangerous, chemicals like lead and methylmercury can harm the growing brain of children. This can have long-term effects on children’s mental development, learning ability and nervous system. Experts say that chemical pollution is often ignored, while its effects can sometimes last a lifetime.
How are chemicals the biggest cause of food borne disease deaths?
The report states that most cases of food-related diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites, but chemical pollution is most responsible for deaths. Chemical hazards accounted for about 73 percent of the total deaths related to spoiled food in 2021. Among these, inorganic arsenic and lead were the biggest reasons. Both these elements increase the risk of serious diseases like heart disease, stroke and cancer. According to WHO, about 42 percent of food-borne disease deaths were linked to inorganic arsenic, while 31 percent of deaths were linked to lead exposure.
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What did WHO say?
WHO said that food safety is not a general issue. This is a topic related to every family and every day food. He said that bad food has been a big challenge for public health for a long time, but now new figures have emerged showing how big an impact it is having on humans and the economy. The report also revealed large disparities between many regions of the world; although the overall burden of foodborne diseases has declined somewhat since 2000, Africa and South-East Asia are still among the most affected regions. About 75 percent of food borne diseases and about 60 percent of deaths worldwide have been recorded in these areas. The effects of bad food are not limited to health only. According to WHO, the global economy suffered huge losses due to bad food in 2021. The world lost about US$310 billion in productivity due to people not being able to work due to illness.
The challenge may increase further
WHO says that climate change, environmental pollution and increasing antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics can further make the challenge of food safety more difficult. The report studied 42 major food hazards in 194 countries between 2000 and 2021. This included bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical pollutants. Experts believe that with the help of better data and monitoring system, countries can identify the biggest threats related to food safety and take necessary steps in time.
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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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