Cargill along with Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released a report titled 'Food for Thought', as part of a five-part research series.
This report highlights two sides of Asia's nutritional arc through examining dietary changes across the region and summarizing it in six megatrends - quality not quantity, urbanisation and income, obesity & micro nutrients, diverging outcomes, low nutritional awareness and advertising and social media, that are driving these trends.
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Social media will undoubtedly become a key form of communication between consumers and stakeholders in the food industry. Beyond driving trends, it is also likely to become a key channel for advertising and consumer engagement. Growing social media prominence will provide opportunities for companies in the food industry, but it is also likely to spur efforts to closely monitor and regulate this space.
However, there are opportunities for stakeholders to address the above trends. Food fortification and reformulation will remain powerful tools for tackling under nutrition as the former is an efficient and cost-effective way to reduce obesogenic ingredients.
More focus is needed on affordable and quality food in urban environments. Good nutrition needs to be driven by enabling food systems and single-target policies will not be sufficient. Policies on health and nutrition will vary from prescription to advocacy and concerted action has more impact than relying on the trickle-down effects of economic growth.
Clearly, there are no simple solutions, hence the need for policies and programs to help tackle this effectively. In conclusion, efforts that promote the most fundamental aspects of human health, nutrition and hygiene, should undoubtedly be a priority.
"With growing income and urbanisation, nutritional inequalities are also on the rise. In order to tackle this effectively, companies, governments, NGOs and other world organizations should look at working with each other - the goal being to make health a key priority. Being pioneers in the initiative of fortification and working in line with the organisational goal of nourishing the world, it is our responsibility to work towards supporting the food industry and ensuring good health for everyone, across the region", said Piyush Patnaik, Managing Director, Cargill's oils business in India
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