More than 200 people die each year from the ‘world’s deadliest food,’ but nearly 500 million continue to eat it
Every year, more than 200 people die after consuming what has been called “the world’s deadliest food.” Yet nearly half a billion people worldwide continue to consume it.
There are many foods in the world that can quickly fill you up, but are rarely found on the table. But what is the food that is both dangerous and extremely common?
This is cassava, a plant and staple food for millions of people around the world. Each year, more than 500 million people consume it, and hundreds of millions of tons of cassava are produced in different regions of the world. Native to South America, cassava is a valuable food source, but it also poses serious risks: its stems, peels, and leaves contain toxins that can produce hydrogen cyanide, making it potentially fatal if improperly processed.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 200 people die each year from improperly cooking cassava, earning it the infamous title of “the world’s deadliest food.”
The WHO explains: “Cassava tubers contain varying amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, which act as a defense against animals and insects. When these substances are not properly processed, cassava can release cyanide, resulting in high dietary exposure to cyanide.”
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