Food is one of the most fundamental necessities of human life. Safe food is essential for maintaining good health, ensuring productivity, and leading a secure life. However, in today's world, food itself is increasingly becoming a source of disease and suffering. Unsafe food has emerged as a major global public health concern, threatening millions of lives every year.
According to recent findings by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 866 million people worldwide suffer from illnesses caused by unsafe food annually, while nearly 1.5 million people lose their lives. These alarming figures highlight the seriousness of the food safety crisis and underline the urgent need for stronger preventive measures at both national and international levels.
Food contamination occurs through the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxic chemicals. Dangerous substances such as arsenic, pesticide residues, industrial pollutants, and unauthorized food additives often enter the food chain and pose severe health risks. While some effects appear immediately in the form of food poisoning or gastrointestinal illness, others accumulate silently in the body over time and lead to chronic diseases.
Unsafe food can cause a wide range of health complications, including diarrhea, vomiting, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, intestinal infections, and food poisoning. Long-term exposure to contaminated food may result in liver and kidney damage, hormonal imbalance, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and even certain types of cancer. Public health experts warn that chemical contamination in food is becoming an increasingly serious challenge in many developing countries.
The impact of unsafe food extends beyond health. Families often face increased medical expenses and loss of income when illness affects working members. Children may miss school, while healthcare systems become burdened with preventable diseases. At the national level, foodborne illnesses reduce productivity and create significant economic losses, slowing overall development.
Several factors contribute to food safety risks. Food adulteration remains one of the most serious concerns, as dishonest traders sometimes add harmful substances to increase profits or improve appearance. Excessive use of pesticides in agriculture, chemical ripening agents in fruits, formalin in fish and meat, and artificial colors in spices continue to threaten consumer health. Poor hygiene during food preparation, transportation, and storage further increases the risk of contamination.
In Bangladesh, food adulteration remains a long-standing challenge. Reports frequently highlight the use of chemical ripening agents in fruits, formalin in fish, detergents or starch in milk, artificial coloring in spices, and the sale of expired food products. Street foods prepared in unhygienic environments also pose significant health risks. During festive seasons, incidents of food adulteration often increase, exposing consumers to even greater danger.
According to global health experts, South Asia and Africa account for a large share of foodborne diseases and deaths. High population density, poverty, inadequate food storage facilities, weak monitoring systems, limited public awareness, and insufficient regulatory enforcement contribute to the higher risks faced by these regions.
Technology can play a crucial role in improving food safety. Modern food testing laboratories, digital tracking systems, online food quality verification mechanisms, and advanced agricultural practices can help identify contamination and ensure accountability throughout the food supply chain.
Strengthening monitoring systems and expanding rapid testing facilities are important steps toward protecting public health.
Food safety begins at home. Simple practices such as washing hands before food preparation, keeping raw and cooked foods separate, storing food at safe temperatures, covering food properly, and using safe drinking water can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
As the world observes World Food Safety Day 2026 today (Sunday) , it is important to recognize that ensuring safe food is a shared responsibility. Governments, businesses, health professionals, and consumers must work together to combat food contamination and protect public health. Only through collective action can we build a future where every person has access to safe, nutritious, and healthy food.
The writer is Founder Chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kaliyan Society
