WHO estimates of the global, regional, and national burden of 42 foodborne infectious and chemical hazards, 2000–21: an updated data synthesis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Foodborne diseases are important causes of illness and death. The first estimates of their burden were published by WHO in 2015. We updated WHO estimates of the global, regional, subregional, and national foodborne disease burden caused by 42 infectious and chemical hazards in 2021, including time trends for 2000-21. METHODS: We provide a high-level summary of foodborne disease burden, expressed as incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Data for burden estimation were provided from a WHO-commissioned series of systematic reviews on the incidence, aetiology, sequelae, and case fatality or mortality of the hazards. Data were analysed using hierarchical meta-regression modelling with geographical clustering and a global linear time trend, disease-specific computational models, and uncertainty propagation through Monte Carlo simulations to calculate 95% uncertainty intervals. Attribution to foodborne transmission was principally based on a structured expert judgement process. Economic impact was measured as lost productivity. FINDINGS: For 2021, foodborne transmission of the 42 hazards caused 866 million (95% uncertainty interval 680-1090) illnesses, 1·52 million (0·783-2·51) deaths, and 57·1 million (39·4-81·1) DALYs. Inorganic arsenic, lead, and non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica (diarrhoeal and invasive disease) resulted in the most DALYs. The greatest burden of foodborne disease was in the African and South-East Asia regions. The incidence in children younger than 5 years was 2·7 times higher than in people aged 5 years or older, resulting in 4·3 times the rate of DALYs. The total burden from all hazards decreased over time. In 2021, these 42 hazards resulted in productivity losses of US$310 billion in nominal terms, and US$647 billion after adjusting for purchasing power parity. INTERPRETATION: Foodborne diseases causes a burden similar to that from tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, or malaria. The high burden of both communicable and non-communicable foodborne diseases requires countries to prioritise developing strategies to improve the safety of the food supply. FUNDING: WHO.

Source: The Lancet Global Health

DOI: 10.1016/j.langlo.2026.103994

Institutions: New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science, Ghent University, Sciensano (Belgium), University of Waterloo, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Technical University of Denmark, Institut d'Investigació Biomédica de Bellvitge, Institut Català d'Oncologia, Australian National University, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz, University of Pretoria, University of Florida, World Health Organization, Haramaya University, Utrecht University, University of Münster, University Medical Center Utrecht, Delft University of Technology, Economic Research Service, George Washington University, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Khon Kaen University, National Institute of Health Sciences, University of St Andrews, University of KwaZulu-Natal, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, National Research and Innovation Agency, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Guelph

Language: English

Topic: Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $6,680

Funder: World Health Organization

OpenAlex ID: W7163399341