Globally, nearly 181 million children live in severe child food poverty, surviving on two or fewer food groups a day (UNICEF, 2024). This dietary inadequacy means that children lack the essential micro- and macro-nutrients that they need. This contributes to persistent malnutrition, impeding children’s growth and development. Malnutrition undermines a child’s future economic prospects while perpetuating cycles of poverty. Increasing consumption of locally produced and fortified, commercially available complementary foods (CACFs) can contribute to reducing food poverty in young children (Micronutrient Forum, 2024).
A recent study highlighted that locally produced CACFs often meet appropriate nutrition criteria and are typically more affordable than imported options. In Thailand, of the 54 CACFs that met all nutritional composition requirements, 35 were produced locally, with 32 products across 12 Thai companies. The average price of these complementary foods was lower than the average price of imported products meeting the same nutrition criteria (ATNI, 2023). Yet, unhealthy, energy-dense and nutrient-poor snacks, foods, and beverages proliferate and are aggressively marketed. They are often more desirable to caregivers than nutritious foods (Zehner et al, 2019).
Systemic barriers prevent local and regional producers from scaling up CACF production and improving access to nutritious foods. Addressing these challenges requires a ‘whole-of-systems approach’, engaging not only producers, but also governments, suppliers, distributors, researchers, technical agencies, and investors. This collective effort is crucial to strengthen the food system and reshape the food environment for complementary foods, ensuring that nutritious options are accessible, affordable, and aspirational.
In this article we highlight key challenges and action areas that can play a transformative role in scaling up nutritious solutions at the national, regional, and global levels.
