Summary
This WHO report provides a comprehensive global assessment of the public health burden attributable to foodborne diseases, drawing on epidemiological modelling and burden-of-disease methodology. It covers a broad range of hazards — including bacterial, viral, parasitic, and chemical agents — and presents estimates disaggregated by region, age, and aetiology. The report is a key reference document for public health authorities, food safety regulators, and policymakers seeking evidence on the scale and distribution of foodborne illness worldwide.
UK applicability
Although global in scope, the report's regional estimates and hazard-specific burden data are directly relevant to UK food safety policy, particularly in informing the Food Standards Agency's priorities around pathogen surveillance and risk management. The UK's post-Brexit food safety framework and trade policy can draw on this evidence when assessing import risks and domestic intervention strategies.
Key measures
Incidence of foodborne illness (cases per 100,000 population); mortality (deaths per year); disability-adjusted life years (DALYs); attribution by pathogen and hazard type; regional burden estimates
Outcomes reported
The report estimates the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to foodborne diseases caused by a range of biological, chemical, and physical hazards. It disaggregates findings by region, age group, and hazard type to identify priority areas for intervention.
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