Simple steps to cut your risk of foodborne illness at home
TL;DR
A Lancet study estimates 1.5 million deaths worldwide from foodborne illnesses in 2021, with Salmonella, E. coli, norovirus and Listeria as major culprits. The article offers practical home precautions: refrigerate perishable foods within two hours, avoid undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy, wash produce, keep cooked foods separate, and stay hydrated if illness occurs. A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle support immunity, and vulnerable groups—children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals—face higher risk. Global food-safety systems vary, so personal kitchen hygiene matters greatly.
- 1.5 million people died of foodborne illnesses in one year. What can you do? CNN
- Food Contamination Causes 1.5 Million Deaths Annually: WHO NDTV
- WHO Releases Data on the Proportion of Microbiological, Chemical Hazards that are Foodborne Food Safety Magazine
- Unsafe food kills 1.5 million people each year; children most at risk: WHO UN News
- Launch of the WHO Food Safety Roadmap Development Tool World Health Organization (WHO)
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