World Food Safety Day 2026: WHO outlines steps to prevent deadly food contamination

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a strong warning over the rising burden of unsafe food globally, as it marked World Food Safety Day 2026 with urgent calls for action to prevent food contamination-related illnesses and deaths.

In a statement shared on X on Sunday, June 7, 2026, the global health body noted that unsafe food continues to pose a major public health threat, contributing to an estimated 866 million illnesses and about 1.5 million deaths annually worldwide, while also affecting livelihoods and weakening economies.

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In its advisory, WHO emphasised that food safety remains a shared responsibility and outlined simple but critical steps that individuals and communities can take to reduce the risk of illness.

“It’s #WorldFoodSafetyDay Unsafe food causes around 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually. They make people sick, harm livelihoods and weaken economies,” it wrote.

The organisation urged the public to ensure that meat is properly cooked all the way through, warning that undercooked meat remains a major source of foodborne infections.

It also advised people to wash fruits and vegetables using safe, clean water to avoid contamination from harmful bacteria and chemicals.

“You can reduce your risk of illness by: Cooking meat all the way through Washing fruit and vegetables with safe water,” WHO wrote.

WHO further recommended that food should be stored and kept at safe temperatures to prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

As part of its broader guidance, WHO encouraged people to maintain a varied and balanced diet, noting that dietary diversity contributes to better nutrition and reduces dependency on high-risk food sources.

The organisation also advised consumers to be mindful when choosing fish, recommending smaller fish over larger ones, which may contain higher levels of toxins due to bioaccumulation.

“You can reduce your risk of illness by: Keeping food at safe temperatures. Eating a varied diet. Choosing smaller fish over large ones No one should get sick from food,” it added.

Reiterating its global message, WHO stressed that food safety should be a basic right for all, insisting that preventable foodborne diseases should no longer claim lives.

The organisation emphasised that strengthening food safety systems is essential for protecting public health, boosting economic productivity, and ensuring global food security.

“Foodborne diseases remain a major global burden, causing at least 200 illnesses that affect health, livelihoods, education and economies. Yet, they are largely preventable. The theme of World Food Safety Day 2026, From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere, highlights how data on illness, its burden and lost lives can guide action towards focused and cost-effective solutions,” it wrote.