Accra Metro Health Director Florence S. Kuukyi has stated that unsafe food is responsible for up to 1.52 million deaths annually worldwide. She issued this warning to mark World Food Safety Day 2026.
Kuukyi described food safety as a critical form of disease prevention. Global data shows approximately 600 million people get sick from contaminated food each year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports about 420,000 annual deaths from these illnesses. More recent figures suggest unsafe food could cause 866 million illnesses and 1.52 million deaths yearly.
This situation presents significant challenges for Ghana and the wider African continent. Common issues include poor food handling, inadequate sanitation, and unsafe water sources. Improper storage temperatures and the presence of pesticide residues also contribute to the problem. Factors like rapid urbanisation and climate change further increase the risk of food contamination and disease outbreaks.
"Every safe meal served is a disease outbreak prevented," stated Kuukyi, a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner. She emphasised that the burden of foodborne diseases is largely avoidable. This requires collaboration among food handlers, regulators, businesses, and consumers. The theme for World Food Safety Day 2026, "From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere," calls for transforming data into practical public health actions.
Kuukyi outlined specific actions for various food chain actors. Food vendors must practice strict personal hygiene and use safe water. They should store food at safe temperatures and prevent cross-contamination. Food businesses need robust safety management systems and staff training. Consumers are advised to wash hands, buy from approved sources, and cook food thoroughly.
Government and stakeholders must strengthen surveillance and inspection systems. Promoting evidence-based policies and investing in food safety infrastructure are crucial. Kuukyi stressed that food safety is a shared responsibility. "By turning knowledge into action and burden into solutions, we can create healthier communities, safer food systems, and a more resilient future," she concluded.
World Food Safety Day, observed annually on June 7, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018. The WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) lead its global observance.