Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

20th June 2023

Call for inputs on the realization of the Human Right to Adequate Food.

Response of the European Specialist Dietetic Network (ESDN) for Public Health of the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD). 

EFAD represents 35000 dietitians and 9000 students in 28 European Countries since 1978. Today, we celebrate the landmark of the 20th anniversary of the Right to Food Guidelines and welcome the opportunity to participate in this consultation. 

In what follows we provide reflections on topics 2 -Identify any gaps, constraints and challenges encountered in realizing the right to food or in implementing the Right to Food Guidelines, and 3 -Share any lessons learned and suggest recommendations for improvement in realizing the right to adequate food, hoping they will help inform on efforts made to realize the right to adequate food at local, national, regional or global level, and provide an important stock taking opportunity for countries and their people.

• Gaps, constraints, and challenges encountered in realizing the right to food or in implementing the Right to Food Guidelines across Europe
  • As it becomes evident in the 2019 report “Fifteen years implementing the Right to Food Guidelines Reviewing progress to achieve the 2030 Agenda”, Europe is committed to the end of hunger and malnutrition. The report describes multiple strategies and cooperation initiatives undertaken by the Commission and the countries with the aim of improving the Right to Food across the globe. Most of these, however, are actions directed to external countries to the Region, which oversees the situation of food insecurity and non-realization of the right to food across Europe. 
  • Nevertheless, the latest SOFI report reveals that nearly 8% of the European population experiences moderate or severe food insecurity. Across countries, primary studies indicate that the prevalence in the general population ranges between 5-20%, with higher rates identified in women, children, older adults, single-parent households, those with low educational attainment, and on low or unstable income and/or employment. Among food aid recipients, the prevalence of food insecurity exceeds 70%.
  • Current responses to food and nutrition insecurity mainly consist of welfare policies and food assistance programs at regional and national levels. However, these strategies often fail to address the underlying drivers of food and nutrition insecurity or ensure adequate diet quality. They also fail to recognize cultural differences in food choice.
  • This difficulty to adequately tackle food insecurity in European countries stems from the political conception of the issue, which is influenced by the notion that food insecurity is not a problem within the region. As of 2011, only Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus explicitly recognized the right to food in their constitutions(1). Others like Finland, Germany, Netherlands, or Switzerland refer to it implicitly as part of a broader set of rights.
  • Consequently, there is a lack of political instruments to guarantee sufficient food and nutrition for all European citizens. Instead, a patchwork of responses is provided, heavily relying on non-governmental, not-for-profit, and charitable sectors, which highlights a clear market failure (2). Hunger and food insecurity are two different entities, and also the right to adequate food and nutrition is different to the right to not suffer hunger (3). 
  • Strengthening research and monitoring efforts is crucial, as they can provide a better understanding of the right to food situation in different countries and serve as an objective foundation for further actions and advocacy efforts.
  • Despite limited involvement to-date, Dietitians (especially Public Health ones) are ideally positioned to provide expertise and guidance (4).

• Lessons learned and recommendations for improvement in realizing the right to adequate food across Europe
  • Recommendations to improve the realization of the right to adequate food across Europe start by implementing a proper monitoring system, that allows not only to keep track of the phenomenon itself, but also structural conditions that can influence it (like poverty or healthy diets affordability) and related consequences (for example nutrient deficiencies or diet-related diseases).
  • Dietitians can play an important role to advance the realization of the right to food in at least four ways, which can contribute to make significant progress in addressing food insecurity and advancing the right to adequate food in Europe.

• Raise Awareness: Efforts should be made to create awareness among European citizens regarding the existence, extent, and challenges people face in realizing their right to adequate food. This can involve educational campaigns, public discussions, and media engagement to highlight the issue and foster understanding and empathy.
• Advocate for Comprehensive Data: There is a need to advocate for comprehensive and robust data collection on the determinants and prevalence of food insecurity in Europe. This data will provide a clear picture of the problem and serve as a foundation for evidence-based policy-making and targeted interventions. Researcher dietitians of public health nutrition can also contribute to data analysis with the currently available datasets (like FAO's SOFI).
• Foster Partnerships: Collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including social assistance providers, local authorities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is crucial. Taking a comprehensive, intersectoral, and integrated approach will ensure a coordinated effort to address food insecurity. By working together, these stakeholders can share resources, expertise, and best practices to develop effective solutions.
• Engage in Policy Development: Dietitians should actively participate in the development of political instruments and interventions that promote equitable access to high-quality, safe food. Their expertise and insights can contribute to the formulation of policies that prioritize the right to food of an appropriate nutritional quality and ensure its realization for all European citizen

As last remark, we present the argument that in the slightly shifting the title of the RtFG to “Right to culturally appropriate, sustainable and healthy food choices for everyone” would contribute to spread the notion that it is not only food that needs to be guaranteed, but food that protects health, culture and environment. 

The European Specialist Dietetic Network (ESDN) for Public Health of the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD) reasserts the relevance of the Right to Food Guidelines and wants to express its willingness and availability to be further involved in this activity. EFAD has a wide reach to the dietetic organizations of WHO Europe Region and could be a more active actor with FAO on this matter.

References

1. Constitutional and Legal Protection of the Right to Food around the World. (2011). FAO. Available at: http://www.oda-alc.org/documentos/1340937409.pdf
2. Greiss J, Schoneville H, Adomavičienė A, Baltutė R, Bernat A, Cantillon B, et al. Food aid in Europe in times of the COVID-19 crisis An international survey project. Working paper 22/05. [Internet]. Antwerp; 2022 Sep [cited 2022 Oct 6]. Available from: https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/csb/
3. UN. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Geneva: UN; 1966.
4. Holben DH, Marshall MB. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Food Insecurity in the United States. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017;117(12):1991–2002.