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Astik Ghosh

World Food Safety Day 2026: WHO Debunks 5 Dangerous Food Safety Myths

Food is arguably one of the most important parts of life, as it is essentially the fuel that the body runs on. Food is so important to life that slight complications, changes, or missteps can cause great harm to you. If the food is unsafe, then that can act like poison as well. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe food causes around 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths every year.

The WHO, in its recent report, reveals that children under 5 years of age experience 29 per cent of the health burden due to unsafe food, with 143,000 deaths in 2021.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Food safety is not an abstract issue – it touches every meal, every family, every day. Unsafe food has always been a major <span>public health</span> concern, but until now, we lacked the bigger picture of its staggering human and economic toll. These new estimates change that.”

Thus, it is crucial to know what to eat, how to eat, and protect yourself from foodborne diseases. And there is a strong connection between unsafe food and food myths; misunderstandings in the kitchen can cost you dearly, so knowing popular food myths from the global health body, WHO, is crucial.

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<h2>Can You Tell If Food Is Safe To Eat By Its Look And Smell?</h2>

People often think that the smell and appearance of food can help us know its condition, but it's a complete hoax, as the WHO reports that most microorganisms that can make you sick don’t change the look or smell of the food.

<h2>Should Raw Poultry Be Washed Before Cooking?</h2>

This is arguably one of the popular food-related misconceptions, as in most households, the washing of chicken before cooking is seen as a healthy practice emphasizing making sure that the raw meat has been properly washed and soaked, but the WHO's report proves otherwise. The global body, washing poultry can spread harmful microorganisms to hands, surfaces, utensils, or other food.

<h2>Do Organic Fruits And Vegetables Need To Be Washed?</h2>

Some think that fruits and vegetables grown organically do not require washing, as they are not cooked with pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and that is a myth. The WHO said all produce, including organic, should be washed with clean water to remove physical contaminants and reduce the risk from any harmful microorganisms or chemicals.

<h2>Can Dishcloths Spread Dangerous Bacteria?</h2>

Another common habit is to use dishcloths to clean them after washing, and that is a big no from WHO, as dishcloths and sponges can carry and spread dangerous bacteria.

<h2>Do I Have To Refrigerate Leftover Food?</h2>

Sometimes people do not keep leftover food outside the refrigerator, and that is also a mistake because food can be dangerous to consume if left at room temperature for more than two hours.

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Food is arguably one of the most important parts of life, as it is essentially the fuel that the body runs on. Food is so important to life that slight complications, changes, or missteps can cause great harm to you. If the food is unsafe, then that can act like poison as well. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe food causes around 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths every year.The WHO, in its recent report, reveals that children under 5 years of age experience 29 per cent of the health burden due to unsafe food, with 143,000 deaths in 2021.WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Food safety is not an abstract issue – it touches every meal, every family, every day. Unsafe food has always been a major public health concern, but until now, we lacked the bigger picture of its staggering human and economic toll. These new estimates change that.”Thus, it is crucial to know what to eat, how to eat, and protect yourself from foodborne diseases. And there is a strong connection between unsafe food and food myths; misunderstandings in the kitchen can cost you dearly, so knowing popular food myths from the global health body, WHO, is crucial.5 Dangerous Food Safety MythsCan You Tell If Food Is Safe To Eat By Its Look And Smell?People often think that the smell and appearance of food can help us know its condition, but it's a complete hoax, as the WHO reports that most microorganisms that can make you sick don’t change the look or smell of the food.Should Raw Poultry Be Washed Before Cooking?This is arguably one of the popular food-related misconceptions, as in most households, the washing of chicken before cooking is seen as a healthy practice emphasizing making sure that the raw meat has been properly washed and soaked, but the WHO's report proves otherwise. The global body, washing poultry can spread harmful microorganisms to hands, surfaces, utensils, or other food.Do Organic Fruits And Vegetables Need To Be Washed?Some think that fruits and vegetables grown organically do not require washing, as they are not cooked with pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and that is a myth. The WHO said all produce, including organic, should be washed with clean water to remove physical contaminants and reduce the risk from any harmful microorganisms or chemicals.Can Dishcloths Spread Dangerous Bacteria?Another common habit is to use dishcloths to clean them after washing, and that is a big no from WHO, as dishcloths and sponges can carry and spread dangerous bacteria.Do I Have To Refrigerate Leftover Food?Sometimes people do not keep leftover food outside the refrigerator, and that is also a mistake because food can be dangerous to consume if left at room temperature for more than two hours.

world food safety day 2026: who debunks 5 dangerous food safety myths

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World Food Safety Day 2026: WHO Debunks 5 Dangerous Food Safety Myths

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World Food Safety Day 2026: WHO Debunks 5 Dangerous Food Safety Myths

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