The World Health Organization has published a global report before World Food Safety Day. The report shows that unsafe food causes about 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths every year in 194 countries. Young children under five years old are most at risk from food-related disease.

Foodborne diseases can come from harmful bacteria, viruses, toxins, or chemical contamination in food or water. Symptoms include stomach pain, diarrhoea, and fever. Some people can become very ill or may even die.

The report also studied heavy metals like lead in food for the first time. These substances are linked to serious health problems and over one million deaths each year. The World Health Organization is asking governments and producers to improve food safety rules to help prevent these dangers.