1.5 million people died of foodborne illnesses in one year. What can you do? | CNN

Foodborne illnesses aren’t just a nuisance after a questionable meal; they are a significant cause of death and severe disease. An estimated 1.5 million deaths were caused by foodborne illnesses worldwide in 2021, according to a study published Wednesday in the Lancet. “It is imperative that countries implement strategies to improve food safety to reduce this substantial burden of disease arising from contaminated food,” the study said. While the number is distressing, it isn’t surprising to experts, said Dr. Harris Wang, chair and professor of the department of systems biology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He was not involved in the study. Foodborne illnesses increase during the summer. A doctor explains how to keep safe Much of the world may be surprised by the deadliness and the burden –– meaning the deaths as well as total incidence and disability-adjusted life years, said Dr. Julie Jean, professor in the department of food sciences at Université Laval in Québec, Canada. Jean, who was not involved in the study, said the impact mirrors other major infectious diseases like HIV or malaria. The impact is often underestimated because so many cases are m