Researchers from Denmark have contributed to the work behind the World Health Organization’s (WHO) updated foodborne illness estimates.

Scientists at DTU National Food Institute helped with scientific advice, methodological development, and technical analyses.

The estimates are based on work in WHO’s Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG). Figures show that foodborne diseases caused by 42 hazards resulted in 57.1 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) globally in 2021. Unsafe food is responsible for about 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths a year.