ATNi issues its fifth Global Access to Nutrition Index

Date : 2025-04-21

Published in F&B

Highlights

*. The fifth Global Access to Nutrition Index assesses the food and beverage industry's efforts to address malnutrition

*. It measures companies progress, highlights gaps, and offers a roadmap for improving nutrition outcomes

Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi)s 5th edition of the Global Access to Nutrition Index assesses the worlds 30 largest food and beverage producers and over 52,000 products, which account for 23% of the global market share.

The Index highlights progress, as more companies are setting targets to improve portfolio health using internationally recognised Nutrient Profiling Models (NPMs) to define items as 'healthier'.

However, little progress has been made in critical areas such as overall portfolio health. Expected sales of healthier products have risen, showing increased consumer demand. Yet, low-income countries still receive the least healthy product portfolios, exposing disparities in product offerings across income levels and markets.

The Global Access to Nutrition Index has been praised by governments and non- profits. UK Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds stressed the need for the food industry to make nutritious foods widely available, highlighting the ongoing global nutrition challenge.

Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), noted that while large food companies are increasing their healthy food offerings, progress is slow and starts from a low base. Companies aim for 50% of their products to meet health standards by 2036. Haddad emphasised that diet remains the leading global risk factor for illness and premature death. Governments and companies must collaborate to accelerate improvements, supported by incentives and regulations.

Jessica Fanzo, Professor of Climate and Director of the Food for Humanity Initiative at Columbia University, urged companies to show greater public health responsibility, noting that only 31% of the 51,000+ products assessed meet health criteria.