Posted on October, 23, 2024 at 09:16 am
Have you ever paused to ponder the safety of the food on your plate? It is a question often overshadowed by concerns of availability and nutritional value, especially in many African communities grappling with food insecurity. But beyond the apprehensions of getting enough to eat lies the danger of consuming unsafe food.
According to World Health Organization estimates, we live in a world where an estimated 600 million people battle foodborne illnesses every year. That is like having one person out of every ten you know falling prey to a food-related sickness. The toll is immense—33 million years of active life lost, $110 billion lost from economies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These are not just statistics; they represent real losses in time, income, and well-being. Unfortunately, one out of every three deaths due to foodborne disease occurs among children below five years of age.
But the cost goes even deeper. Unsafe food is not just an inconvenience; it silently attacks consumers, inflicting generational scars on communities and nations. From growth impairments in children to debilitating diseases like diarrhea and kidney and liver ailments, the repercussions are profound and far-reaching. The stakes are even higher in Africa, where informal markets are prevalent. These bustling hubs of commerce see countless transactions daily from customers, vendors, service providers, etc. Consumers choose based on multiple factors, including cost, appearance, and convenience. The informal sector makes important contributions to economies and needs improvements to reduce the tendency to be a reservoir for food hazards.
Source: CGIAR