Over 97,000 Deaths in Afghanistan Linked to Contaminated Food

DID Press: Afghanistan’s acting Ministry of Public Health has reported that more than 97,000 people have died this year due to consumption of unsafe food, highlighting a growing food safety crisis across the country.

According to official ministry data, hospitals nationwide recorded over 493,000 cases of diarrhea last year. Health experts warn that low-quality food and contaminated water are the primary drivers of these deaths, and that without an effective food safety system, the risk of viral, bacterial, and even carcinogenic illnesses remains high.

The ministry’s Department of Drugs and Food has inspected various food items and banned imports of more than 20 high-risk products in an effort to improve safety standards.

Meanwhile, Kabul residents are calling for stricter monitoring of imported and domestically produced food to safeguard public health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that around 600 million people worldwide fall ill annually from consuming unsafe food, underscoring the global importance of food safety measures.