FAQ

How the Zero Hidden Hunger EU project suggests that the lack of accurate data on micronutrient deficiencies across Europe should be addressed?

The lack of data on micronutrient deficiencies across Europe is the number one barrier to addressing the problem of hidden hunger, which is endemic in low income countries but also widespread in Europe. Because we don’t have the data to quantify it, the Zero Hidden Hunger EU project is a key starting point. We are focussing our efforts on using existing high-quality data resources and biobanks from diverse and representative population groups around Europe. We will use these data to generate an estimate of the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies for Europe for the first time. This information will help us to develop food-based strategies for micronutrient deficiency prevention and health promotion for everyone, leaving no-one behind.

Zero Hidden Hunger EU will:

1. 1. Zero Hidden Hunger EU emphasises the need for more standardised, harmonised, and comprehensive data collection across Europe to achieve consistent, comparable, and reliable data on intakes (from food) and status to track micronutrient deficiencies accurately.
   2. Leverage technology and digital tools to collect and analyse data more efficiently and facilitate integration of other food-related data (e.g., food composition datasets) with health outcomes, allowing for better identification of at-risk populations and strategies to overcome deficiencies.
   3. Collaborate with partners including national authorities, research institutions, industry, and vulnerable populations to contribute to data collection and share insights on micronutrient gaps, which are critical for ensuring data consistency and reliability.
   4. Develop harmonised approaches to micronutrient intake and status data collection and analysis to help bridge gaps in existing datasets, enable between-country comparisons, and inform public health strategies more effectively.
   5. Focus on training and capacity building to enhance the skills of those involved in collecting data, developing public health strategies, supporting patients, reformulating food products, etc., ensuring that future interventions and data gathering efforts are both accurate and sustainable.

Why are marginalized groups (children, women of reproductive age and ethnic minorities) at a higher risk of micronutrient deficiencies in the EU?

People who are growing and developing, including children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women are at greater risk of micronutrient deficiencies due to their higher nutritional requirements relative to their energy intake during these stages of life. Women of reproductive age are also at risk due to well-established nutritional vulnerabilities linked to nutrient requirements and dietary practices. People from different ethnic groups and migrant communities can be nutritionally vulnerable either due to biological reasons or lack of food and nutrition security linked to social inequality.

How will the Policy Lab address this issue?

Zero Hidden Hunger EU will produce evidence in the form of a policy review and data from the 30 months of the project’s research that serves as a foundation for the Policy Lab, which will incorporate lessons learned and leverage new perspectives through a co-creation process. Indeed, this approach includes not only the insights of policymakers and researchers who can translate project findings into practical recommendations, but also the voices of marginalized populations and vulnerable communities themselves, ensuring their needs and experiences directly inform policy development.

The policy labs will develop targeted policy recommendations that address the specific needs of vulnerable groups, based on their life experiences. These policies will focus on ensuring equitable access to micronutrient-rich foods, particularly for those in low-income settings or underserved communities.

Here are some concrete examples of how the Policy Lab intends to proceed:

• Targeted Nutritional Programs: Design and implement nutritional support and education programs specifically tailored to the needs and cultural preferences of marginalized groups.
• Collaborative Approach: Engage directly with representatives from marginalized and vulnerable communities, alongside healthcare providers and local NGOs, to ensure that interventions are both accessible and effective.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Suggest specific mechanisms to monitor the impact of these interventions on micronutrient status, allowing for timely adjustments to strategies to enhance their effectiveness.

How can this issue be addressed in regions with limited healthcare access or high levels of poverty?

As the determinants of hidden hunger are related to the food system, the food environment, diet and nutritional requirements, people living in poverty in Europe are likely to be at high risk of micronutrient malnutrition. These people are also likely to be underrepresented in nutrition studies, from which the data for Zero Hidden Hunger EU project will be drawn. We are developing a modelling approach to offset this risk of underrepresentation in the data.

Marginalised groups often face barriers in accessing healthy, nutrient-rich foods. Economic constraints lead to diets that are higher in cheap, energy-dense, but nutrient-poor products, increasing the risk of deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. Disparities in healthcare access and education mean that these populations are less likely to receive, or be able to access, necessary nutritional guidance needed to prevent deficiencies, especially during critical life stages like pregnancy and early childhood. We are carefully considering representation in the policy labs and carrying out new research in migrant groups in Greece and Spain who are at highest risk.

What are some of the health, social, and economic impacts of micronutrient deficiencies?

Micronutrient deficiencies can compromise the immune system, disrupt childhood growth and brain development and accelerate multi-system aging and non-communicable diseases.  They can adversely affect the development potential of individuals, reducing educational attainment, as well as work capacity and productivity, ultimately hindering the development of societies and nations.  These all carry an economic cost, which is further amplified by the cost of caring for people who develop long-term diseases associated with chronic malnutrition. Examples include musculoskeletal disorders, perinatal complications and cardiovascular diseases.

How do you propose the integration of nutrition-focused policies across health, education, and food systems in the EU?

Establishing interdepartmental committees to ensure that health, education, and food policies are aligned with nutritional goals.

• Integrating nutrition education into school curricula to foster healthy eating habits from a young age.
• Updating healthcare protocols to include routine micronutrient screening and supplementation guidelines, especially for vulnerable populations.
• Aligning agricultural policies to promote the cultivation and availability of micronutrient-rich foods, including through subsidies and support for biofortified crops.

What role will the food/nutrition industry play in the solutions co-created by the Policy Lab?

The food industry has a key role and dialogue will be open and transparent. We recognise and acknowledge the openness of the food industry to improve the nutritional quality of products that form the core part of the diet. Strategies such as reformulation, innovation, consumer engagement and standards development will be considered.

As we design policy recommendations in the Policy Lab, a fundamental aspect of our approach involves scrutinizing and addressing the commercial determinants of nutritional health, including marketing practices, food formulation and nutritional composition, price, product availability, sustainability of food production practices, food waste, among others.

Industry actions can significantly influence dietary choices and health outcomes. Our goal is to ensure that industry contributes to combating micronutrient deficiencies aligning with public health objectives rather than commercial interests. In shaping the strategies and solutions within the Policy Lab, it is crucial to maintain an independent stance that prioritizes public health goals above commercial interests.

To this end, the discussion of the policy lab will also include the following points:

• Establishing clear, scientifically backed definitions of what constitutes healthy, micronutrient-rich foods as opposed to merely ‘edible products’ that do not support optimal health.
• Implementing stringent regulations on advertising, especially those targeted at vulnerable populations, and encouraging the reformulation of food products to enhance their nutritional profile.
• Encouraging the industry to adopt sustainable methods of production that reduce waste and environmental impact while improving the nutritional quality of the food supply.
• Supporting initiatives that foster environments conducive to making healthier food choices accessible and affordable for all populations.