The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that 420 000 people die in the world each year after eating bad food.
The dire warning on Monday 7 June – World Food Safety Day – revealed that Africa was worst affected.
Africa has the highest burden of foodborne diseases caused by unsafe food, with 135 million infections and 180 000 deaths per year, reveals WHO – the specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
African diets are dominated by cheap staples such as maize, cereals, rice, and cassava.
“Handling, preparing, and storing food in a way to best reduce the risk of individuals becoming sick from foodborne illnesses,” advises the Australian Institute of Food Safety.
The WHO details the staggering global burden caused by food-borne illnesses, estimating that 600 million people (or one in 10 people in the world) fall ill due to contaminated food.
