The Right to Food

The right to adequate food is realized when every man, woman and child, alone or in community with others, has the physicall and economic access at all times to adequate food or means for its procurement. 

– General Comment 12 (Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, CESCR, 1999).


Generally understood as the right to feed oneself in dignity, the right to adequate food is a long-standing international human right to which many countries are committed. Over the last decades, a number of countries have developed and implemented constitutional amendments, national laws, strategies, policies and programmes that aim at the fulfilment for all of the right to food.

Essential resources

COVID-19 threatens the right to food of everybody, even for those who have never been at risk before.

Through the Right to Food Guidelines we have better chances to achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals.

Inclusive climate change policies are key to eradicate hunger and poverty.

The right to food for everyone is only possible if women and girls take part in decision-making.

Mutistakeholder participation is key: seat local communities, farmers and consumers around the table!

Food must be healthy and accessible for both present and future generations.

Empowered consumers can be game-changers for rights-based and sustainable agrifood systems.

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