Page 55 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 16

Leadership
Health & Healing

Rethink Food Security

and Nutrition ties should not only be concerned

Following Covid-19 Pandemic when food exports are blocked by
foreign importers for failing to meet
phyto-sanitary standards.
By Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Wan Manan Muda
Is food safe for consumption? Are
This article was published originally on July 26th, 2020 toxic agro-chemicals putting con-
http://www.ipsnews.net/2020/07/rethink-food-security-nutrition-fol- sumers at risk? Are anti-biotics,
lowing-covid-19-pandemic/ used for animal breeding, putting
animal and human health at risk of
antimicrobial resistance? Are food
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jul in earlier understandings of food processing practices compromising
2 2020 (IPS) - The Covid-19 crisis self-sufficiency. But, even if suc- consumers’ nutrition?
has had several unexpected effects, cessful, winding back policy will not
including renewed attention to food address more recently recognized Malnutrition threat looming larger
security concerns. Earlier under- food challenges such as malnutrition The world has to deal with three
standings of food security in terms and safety. major types of malnutrition, i.e.,
of production self-sufficiency have dietary energy undernourishment,
given way to importing supplies All too many food researchers have or hunger; ‘hidden hunger’, due to
since late 20th century promotion been successfully compromised, e.g., micronutrient deficiencies of vita-
of trade liberalization. with generous research and travel mins, minerals and trace elements;
funding, by food and beverage busi- and diet-related non-communicable
Transnational food business nesses to discourage criticisms of diseases (NCDs).
Disruption of transnational food their lucrative business practices.
supply chains and the devastation Many of the poor typically lack
of many vulnerable livelihoods by It is important for authorities to means to improve their condition,
policy responses to the Covid-19 make sure that food is produced with the poorest often lethargic, due
pandemic have revived interest safely for consumers. The authori- to not getting enough to eat, or not

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