Main content

Is anyone following dietary guidelines?

Around 100 countries have official dietary guidelines, and more are in development. But who鈥檚 following them?

Around 100 countries have official dietary guidelines, and more are on their way. But who is following them?

Ruth Alexander asks how realistic healthy-eating advice is as she explores how official recommendations are developed, what they鈥檙e trying to achieve, and the obstacles standing in our way.

We hear from Fatima Hachem, Senior Nutrition Officer at the United Nation鈥檚 Food and Agriculture Organisation, about how her team offers support to countries designing dietary guidelines.

Chiza Kunwenda, senior lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Zambia, tells us how he and a team of others drew up the latest dietary guidelines for Zambia and other countries in Africa.

In Argentina, as well as advice, the government has issued black octagonal warning labels on foods high in salt sugar, saturated fats and calories. Are people taking notice?

And can people around the world afford to eat according to guidelines? Dr Anna Herforth co-directed the Food prices for Nutrition project at Tufts University in the United States, tells us what she found. We also hear from shoppers at a community food outlet in the North West of England, about how cost is barrier to healthy eating.

(Image: a plate of food showing suggested dietary guidelines. Credit: Getty Images/91热爆)

If you鈥檇 like to contact the programme, email thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk.

Producers: Hannah Bewley and Izzy Greenfield.

Available now

26 minutes

Last on

Sun 26 Jan 2025 09:32GMT

Featured

  • .

Broadcasts

  • Thu 23 Jan 2025 04:32GMT
  • Thu 23 Jan 2025 13:32GMT
  • Thu 23 Jan 2025 18:32GMT
  • Thu 23 Jan 2025 23:32GMT
  • Sun 26 Jan 2025 09:32GMT

Food Chain highlights

Tea, coffee, spices, chillies ... snack on a selection of programme highlights

Podcast