“Transforming the U.S. Food System: A Call for Collaboration and Action to Ensure Healthy Diets for All”
Last week, the White House hosted a pivotal conference focused on food and nutrition, where President Biden urged us all to think ambitiously, take decisive action, and collaborate effectively. We recognize that if we are to have any hope of eradicating hunger and diet-related diseases and fatalities by 2030, this is essential. Interestingly, some major players, specifically the largest food and beverage manufacturers in the U.S., were notably absent. The Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI), an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the private sector’s role in providing nutritious diets, asserts that true success can only be achieved with the engagement and proactive participation of the private sector.
We advocate for a transformation of the U.S. food system and market, beginning with the private sector, acknowledging that this is no easy feat. Over the past decade, ATNI has scrutinized the records of the world’s leading food manufacturers, and our findings suggest that while there has been progress in the food and beverage industry, much remains to be done. With strong leadership from the government and accountability from investors and corporate boards, there is a glimmer of hope. Many countries already benefit from effective public-private partnerships and accountability frameworks that ensure families have access to affordable, healthy food, while the U.S. lags behind. This situation must change.
Our data highlights the magnitude of the challenge. With just two weeks left until the release of our second U.S. Index, which assesses how well food and beverage manufacturers are performing in their efforts to create and promote healthy products, we are left to wonder whether the sector has improved since 2018. To put it bluntly: Has the industry succeeded in increasing the availability of healthy products on store shelves? According to international standards, ATNI has found that 70% of the food and beverage products offered by major brands to U.S. consumers are less healthy options, containing excessive levels of added sugar, salt, and fat, while lacking sufficient fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber. This is unacceptable. Is the situation any better now?
So far, voluntary measures aimed at reducing salt, sugar, and fat have not resulted in healthier product portfolios. A clear symbiotic relationship between business and politics is essential; it will serve as a crucial catalyst for generating the momentum required to drive the industry towards necessary systemic changes. The national strategy put forth by the White House is a commendable initial step in holding both the public and private sectors accountable for the health of American families. However, it is merely a step, and we cannot afford to see continued stagnation or slow progress from the largest manufacturers responsible for producing, marketing, and selling our food.
Both the public and private sectors must step outside their comfort zones. Public officials and private executives need to establish realistic targets, as well as engage in consultation and performance tracking. ATNI is dedicated to supplying the essential data, analysis, and best practices to facilitate this transformation. As President Biden reminded us at the conference’s opening, when we previously collaborated with a defined goal, we reached the moon. Let us now make the transformation of the food system to ensure healthy diets for all our new moonshot.
In this context, it is also important to consider various nutritional supplements, such as calcium citrate versus calcium carbonate, which are often discussed in terms of their benefits for bone health. We need to ensure that our food system provides not only healthier products but also the right information about nutritional choices. The inclusion of such vital elements in our food offerings is critical for the overall health of families across the nation. If we can integrate these considerations effectively, we may indeed fulfill our ambitious goals for the future.
