NUTRITION

Healthy nutrition. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reaffirmed in July its commitment to the promotion of healthy nutrition and the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal 2030 N° 2, on Zero Hunger, through the celebration of two regional events. On the one hand, the Director General of FAO, José Graziano da Silva, and the President of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino), Elías Castillo, met in Rome July 11th. Furthermore, the VI Planning Meeting of the Parliamentary Front against Hunger (PFH) of Latin America and the Caribbean concluded in Guatemala July 13th.

The results of these events will serve as the basis for the First World Hunger Parliamentary Summit October 29th. In addition, the countries of the region are expected to give priority in their legislative agendas to issues such as the reduction of ultra-processed food intake and the mitigation of hunger in the coming months. As an example, the National Assembly of Ecuador began to draft a bill on school nutrition with the intention of achieving a consensual bill before the end of the year. The Congresses of Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Guatemala, among others, are also working on the same topic.

FAO and Parlatino officials discussed aspects related to food production, the consumption of processed foods and their impact on health, such as obesity and diabetes. In this context, they committed to strengthen the strategic alliance between both institutions to end malnutrition in Latin America. Graziano da Silva said that “we are working to put the fight against hunger and good nutrition at the top of the political agenda around the world.”

On the other hand, the representatives of the Parliamentary Fronts against Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean set the priorities of the organization for 2018, among which are the elaboration and implementation of regulations and practices for food labeling and the approval of framework laws on food security and sovereignty. The General Coordinator of the FPH of the region, Luisa María Calderón, agreed with the statement made by Graziano da Silva, saying that they will “foster the work of the parliaments in the passing of laws against hunger.”

Based on FAO’s emphasis on adopting measures against unhealthy diets and malnutrition, it will be the responsibility of governments to pass regulations in this regard. Also, independent Leg. Mauricio Proaño will introduce to the National Assembly of Ecuador a bill on school nutrition, with the aim of ensuring a homogeneous, healthy and sustainable diet in all Ecuadorian schools. Also, Deputy and coordinator of FPH Guatemala Jairo Flores will introduce amendments to the Family Agriculture Law to the Congress of Guatemala in the coming months. On the other hand, the progress made by the Parliamentary Fronts against Hunger of the region will serve as the basis for the First World Hunger Parliamentary Summit at the end of October.

Next steps

Although FAO’s positioning is not binding, LAC countries are expected to assimilate their recommendations through executive measures and promote bills. This process will take shape in regulatory matters in the coming months, but will take on greater legislative relevance after the First World Hunger Parliamentary Summit, to be held October 29rd and 30th in Madrid, Spain.