The Deadliest Food in the World Kills More Than 200 People a Year, but 500 Million Eat It Anyway (5 photos)

Category: Food, PEGI 0+
Today, 09:15

One of the world's deadliest foods is eaten by half a billion people, and its widespread popularity may be the reason it has a deadly reputation when not prepared correctly. Previously the talk of the town was the dangerous koi pla dish eaten in Thailand and Laos, now it's cassava that kills more than 200 people a year.





Cassava, also known as cassava, is a staple food consumed by 500 million people, with hundreds of millions of tons produced for consumption each year.

This plant, which thrives in tropical climates, is native to South America, although Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava today.

The roots, skins, and leaves of the plant are dangerous to eat raw because they contain toxic substances that can form hydrogen cyanide. Sweet varieties of cassava can contain up to 20 mg of cyanide per kilogram, but among the bitterest varieties, this figure can rise to 1,000 mg of cyanide.



The World Health Organization estimates that cassava poisoning kills about 200 people a year, so while cassava is on the list of the deadliest foods, the number of people who eat it regularly and feel fine is actually very large. That's because humans are smart enough to have learned how to cook some foods that would otherwise pose a health risk to us.

There are chefs who are learning how to cook incredibly poisonous fish that can become a deadly delicacy if not prepared by skilled hands, and people have learned how to reduce the risk of being killed by cassava.





Eating parts of the root raw or improperly can cause death, and has been linked to the neurological disorder ataxia, so there are other health consequences to eating this food besides death.

Proper cooking, which may involve soaking the plant for up to 24 hours, is a key part of ensuring casava is as safe as possible.



The danger posed by cassava increases during food shortages, as during times of famine and food shortages, people may eat more of the bitter plant, which is likely to contain higher levels of hydrogen cyanide.

+1
Add your comment
  • bowtiesmilelaughingblushsmileyrelaxedsmirk
    heart_eyeskissing_heartkissing_closed_eyesflushedrelievedsatisfiedgrin
    winkstuck_out_tongue_winking_eyestuck_out_tongue_closed_eyesgrinningkissingstuck_out_tonguesleeping
    worriedfrowninganguishedopen_mouthgrimacingconfusedhushed
    expressionlessunamusedsweat_smilesweatdisappointed_relievedwearypensive
    disappointedconfoundedfearfulcold_sweatperseverecrysob
    joyastonishedscreamtired_faceangryragetriumph
    sleepyyummasksunglassesdizzy_faceimpsmiling_imp
    neutral_faceno_mouthinnocent

You might be interested in:
Registration