Latin American countries formed the Network of States for transforming Food Systems and Better Nutrition

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Mexican government through the Undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion, the National System for the Integral Development of the Family (DIF Nacional), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Pan American/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), with key allies such as the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (INSP) and the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger - Mexico Chapter, have joined together to form the "Latin American Network of States for the Transformation of Food Systems and Better Nutrition".

The primary mission of this network is to promote the development and implementation of evidence-based international policies aimed at addressing the root causes of malnutrition in all its forms through the promotion of sustainable agrifood systems.

Fourteen countries in the region participated in the first steps of the network, which currently includes Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay. 

The Latin American Network of States for the Transformation of Food Systems and Better Nutrition will be a space for the design, planning, and implementation of intersectoral policies that contribute to the transformation towards sustainable food systems, where coordinated action is generated to control ultra-processed food products and strategies to articulate agro-food chains from agro-ecological food production and to establish actions for the prevention and control of malnutrition from all its causes.

It will also demonstrate the commitment of the countries in the region to address the problems of malnutrition in all its forms, and the determinants related to agrifood systems.  

According to the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023, the prevalence of hunger decreased to 6.5%, affecting 43.2 million people. However, concerns persist, such as the increase in overweight children under five years of age (8.6%) and obesity in adults (24.2%). These problems affect both urban and rural areas. The region faces a high cost of maintaining a healthy diet, with a daily average of USD 4.08 per person, impacting one in five people who cannot access nutritious food. 

Daniela Godoy, Senior Policy Officer FAO Americas, and network member said: "Prioritizing sustainable food policies is crucial, from supporting family farming to promoting affordable access to healthy diets. These strategies are key to improving nutrition and food security in vulnerable communities. Regional cooperation and evidence-based research are pillars of effective food policies. From front-end food labeling to advertising restrictions, working together to promote healthy eating habits is crucial. It is crucial to work together to promote healthy and sustainable eating habits".

Ruy Lopez Ridaura, Undersecretary for Prevention and Health Promotion, said: "Representatives from various sectors, including governments, international agencies, and academia, are collaborating to address food challenges in Latin America. They highlight the urgent need to strengthen public policies and establish a regional regulatory framework. The main focus is to create a comprehensive network to transform the governmental system and address problems such as obesity and nutritional deficiencies. The shared goal is to promote a fair, healthy, and sustainable food system. This effort seeks to impact not only the regional level but also the global level in the future".