Potato test for government

The crash in potato price is triggering a wave of suicides in several states. Will the NDA government's ambitious Price Stabilisation Fund help …

COVID-19 lockdowns may be over but poor still go hungry

At least 4,000 vulnerable and marginalised populations surveyed across 11 states; 2/3 say they eat less now 

Study reveals link between teenage pregnancy and child stunting

Adolescent mothers were more likely to be anaemic compared with adult mothers and anaemia was associated with reduced child growth, find the study

GM in food: Food regulator mum on illegalities

FSSAI says it will frame a law to regulate GM food, but fails to talk about the prevalent illegal trade and mislabeling

Is the government marketing millets right?

India requires policy changes to make millets an effective tool against malnutrition 

10.9 million people died due to poor diets in 2017: Report

Global Burden of Disease study highlights how low consumption of healthy food is better than more consumption of unhealthy foods

India's gold follies and food security

Why are lawmakers so ready to forego huge tax revenues on gold but baulk at spending on food for the poor?

World Food Day: FAO is as relevant today as in 1945

The UN’s food agency was born in the wake of catastrophe. Three quarters of a century later, its mission has been made more relevant to the …

Food fortification is not magic bullet to fight malnutrition

The Supreme Court order on sourcing natural food locally instead of relying on artificially-fortified commercial products was hailed by experts

Hidden hunger: a silent epidemic

The Global Hunger Index report recommends returning to traditional diets comprising locally available, biodiverse food to overcome growing under-…

2022 too short, too far: How food systems evolved for the hungry

Down To Earth recaps the primary environment, health and developmental news from 2022

UN Committee for World Food Security endorses voluntary guidelines to end hunger

The guidelines will contribute to realisation of global goals on  hunger and nutrition even as more than 3 billion people do not have access …

Hunger levels in India still ‘serious’, shows global hunger index report

Report released by US-based non-profit indicates that 2 billion people in the world suffer from hidden hunger, affecting their health and productivity

Can adulteration of edible oils be addressed by the Goonda Act?

Madras HC recently called for classifying those who adulterate food as goons; but we need long-term solutions

UK may ban junk food ads, should India follow?

Since India lacks regulatory framework for promotion of foods items containing high fat, salt and sugar, experts feel a similar step could prove …

Stubble burning bill: Rs 2 lakh crore/year in air pollution

Over five years, economic loss due to burning of crop residue and firecrackers is estimated to be $190 billion, or nearly 1.7 per cent of India&…

Genetically modified food: Whose health, whose business

People are concerned about the possibility of eating GM food.  Can we not expect the government to ensure that they have the right to choose?

More bite, less to chew

The most controversial aspect of the food security law is the restructuring of the public distribution system to cover an unprecedented 67 per …

Piecemeal proposals

The recommended grain policy may help tackle the problem of plenty, but food insecurity will remain (Read full article)

Will welfare schemes win votes for UPA?

An analysis of Brazil’s last three elections suggests that peopleÔÇêdo vote for parties for such initiatives, but only when …

Difficult to digest

After much debate, the Cabinet cleared the food security bill. Will it really ensure food for every Indian?

UN report flags changes in food system to boost climate action

Addding diet and food loss to climate change plans can improve mitigation and adaptation contributions towards food systems by as much as 25%

FAO claims new platform to help fight food loss, wastage

Global body estimates that 14% of food is lost annually and leads to emission of around 1.5 gigatonnes of CO2

COVID-19 calls for renewed focus on eating right and natural

Post-COVID-19 scenario offers a unique opportunity to seize the moment and repurpose policies towards a food system that is resilient and …

Food standards save lives, say FAO and WHO on World Food Safety Day

An estimated 600 million or almost 1 in 10 people worldwide fall ill after eating contaminated food; 420,000 die every year