The Use of Iodized Salt in Processed Foods: Empirical Evidence and the Role of Regulation

Salt policy is an important element of European nutrition policy. Whereas the per-capita intake of salt in the population is viewed as being too high for health reasons, the intake of iodized salt helps to counteract iodine deficiency. Given this tradeoff, the principle “If salt, then iodized salt!” is formulated in German health and nutrition policy. We address the question whether food processors follow this rule and why this is so. A market study for German grocery retailing and 30,345 processed foods in the food groups bread, meat and milk reveals that the share of products with iodized salt is low and much below the use of iodized salt in private houzseholds. Expert interviews and online surveys of food processors suggest at least three reasons for this evidence: (i) There is incomplete information among food processors with regard to the health benefits of iodized salt. (ii) A minority of salt consumers is actively opposing the iodization of salt. (iii) The reduced use of iodized salt due to (i) and (ii) is not compensated by governmental regulation and an active information and support policy for salt fortification

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture: new term or new concept?

Within the post-2015 agenda discussions of the United Nations, sustainable development goals (SDGs) are being drafted. In this context, nutrition-sensitive agriculture has been introduced. Nutrition-sensitive approaches in general are not new. They refer to improving or at least avoiding harm to the underlying and basic causes of malnutrition presented in the UNICEF conceptual framework. In order to answer the question of whether nutrition-sensitive agriculture is only a new term or also a new actionable concept with a comprehensive definition, framework, and political will, a questionnaire-based survey with representatives from 18 agricultural ministries of various countries was conducted on the basis of a literature review. Furthermore, the Final Communiqué of the Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Summit 2014 was analyzed as an indication of political commitment following the steps of the qualitative content analysis of Mayring

Combined effects of drought and soil fertility on the synthesis of vitamins in green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables, such as Vigna unguiculata, Brassica oleraceae, and Solanum scabrum, are important sources of vitamins A, B1, and C. Although vitamin deficiencies considerably affect human health, not much is known about the effects of changing soil and climate conditions on vegetable vitamin concentrations. The effects of high or low soil fertility and three drought intensities (75%, 50%, and 25% pot capacity) on three plant species were analysed (n = 48 pots) in a greenhouse trial. The fresh yield was reduced in all the vegetables as a result of lower soil fertility during a severe drought. The vitamin concentrations increased with increasing drought stress in some species. Regardless, the total vitamin yields showed a net decrease due to the significant biomass loss. Changes in vitamin concentrations as a result of a degrading environment and increasing climate change events are an important factor to be considered for food composition calculations and nutrient balances, particularly due to the consequences on human health, and should therefore be considered in agricultural trials

Is responsive feeding difficult? A case study in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya

Responsive infant and young child feeding as a reciprocal relationship between the child and his or her caregiver is recommended by the WHO but has received less attention than dietary diversity or meal frequency up to now. The current study assessed common (non)responsive child feeding practices and factors that facilitate or hinder caregivers to improve feeding practices in rural Teso South Sub-County, Western Kenya. The qualitative study used focus group discussion (n = 93) and Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) (n = 48) to identify challenges and opportunities in household food distribution and feeding practices. Overall, the implementation of responsive feeding practices was feasible for the caregivers. Parents reported mainly positive experiences in terms of the child’s feeding behavior and effects on child health. Traditional beliefs, practices, and cultural norms hindered some households to change intrahousehold food distribution. Households who manage to implement responsive feeding even in food insecure regions should be consulted to (a) improve existing nutrition education messages that acknowledge these cultural norms, (b) to include more responsive feeding information in nutrition education material, and (c) to address gender norms to create awareness of the importance of responsive feeding practices and the need for adequate time allocation for infant and young child feeding