Retail Food Environments in Southern Africa – An epidemic without borders
1
Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
2
School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
3
Food Science and Technology, University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
4
Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
5
School-age and Adolescent Nutrition, UNICEF, Nairobi, Kenya
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2989
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Availability and intake of ultra-processed foods and ready-to-eat meals is increasing at varying, but steady rates in Southern African countries. Interconnected food systems and trade flows between these countries are reflected in their packaged food supplies.
METHODS:
This symposium will draw on research investigating the packaged food supply and food related policies in three Southern African countries to i) highlight how the same unhealthy, non-compliant products circulate across borders; ii) describe the challenges observed in different countries with regards to outdated and inconsistent food labelling; iii) demonstrate how the information collected informs and contributes to food labelling related policy in selected countries; iv) identify how the labelling inconsistencies and policy gaps create regulatory loopholes and v) discuss how cross-border trade creates opportunities for harmonized regional action. This study used photographs to collect data on the nutrition composition and marketing strategies of the packaged food supply in supermarkets and smaller food retail stores in Zimbabwe, Tanzania and South Africa. Desktop reviews were conducted on the nutrition situation and the food related policies in each country. Results (Expected Outcome): About 30 000 packaged foods were analysed with 80% classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4), >80% displaying on-package marketing strategies whilst 30% did not provide nutrition information on the packaging. Forty percent of products were produced by multi-national companies and 30% by regional companies. It is envisaged that this session should conclude with a discussion on: a) opportunities to harmonize regional action, such as incentives for healthier, minimally processed and regionally produced foods; b) opportunities to build a sustainable regional food economy that supports both public health and economic inclusion.
CONCLUSIONS:
Continuing modernisation of food production driven by for-profit transnational food companies facilitates the proliferation of unhealthy, ultra-processed products in the Southern Africa food retail, increasing the risk of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases.
Availability and intake of ultra-processed foods and ready-to-eat meals is increasing at varying, but steady rates in Southern African countries. Interconnected food systems and trade flows between these countries are reflected in their packaged food supplies.
METHODS:
This symposium will draw on research investigating the packaged food supply and food related policies in three Southern African countries to i) highlight how the same unhealthy, non-compliant products circulate across borders; ii) describe the challenges observed in different countries with regards to outdated and inconsistent food labelling; iii) demonstrate how the information collected informs and contributes to food labelling related policy in selected countries; iv) identify how the labelling inconsistencies and policy gaps create regulatory loopholes and v) discuss how cross-border trade creates opportunities for harmonized regional action. This study used photographs to collect data on the nutrition composition and marketing strategies of the packaged food supply in supermarkets and smaller food retail stores in Zimbabwe, Tanzania and South Africa. Desktop reviews were conducted on the nutrition situation and the food related policies in each country. Results (Expected Outcome): About 30 000 packaged foods were analysed with 80% classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4), >80% displaying on-package marketing strategies whilst 30% did not provide nutrition information on the packaging. Forty percent of products were produced by multi-national companies and 30% by regional companies. It is envisaged that this session should conclude with a discussion on: a) opportunities to harmonize regional action, such as incentives for healthier, minimally processed and regionally produced foods; b) opportunities to build a sustainable regional food economy that supports both public health and economic inclusion.
CONCLUSIONS:
Continuing modernisation of food production driven by for-profit transnational food companies facilitates the proliferation of unhealthy, ultra-processed products in the Southern Africa food retail, increasing the risk of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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