Why We Need To Start Looking At "Healthy Food" As A Human Right (and How)
Have you ever had a junk food craving so intense that your nostrils legit smelled a packet of non-existent Tim Tams on your desk? Or is that just me? Come 3pm we all crave a cheeky snack, but what we choose to shove in our mouths often has too much to do with what's in our wallets. The recent attention on the "right to food" has got me looking at my fave donuts differently.We should not be forced to choose between eating junk food over nutrient-dense foods just because it looks cheaper. Turns out we're collectively paying billions in Australia because the actual cost of cheap crappy food isn't reflected in the price at the counter. But what can we do about it?
Enter Hilal Elver, the UN's special representative on the right to food. At a recent press conference, Elver highlighted that the global food market has forced people to choose between food that is affordable, versus food that's actually good for them. This violates their right to adequate food. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including food. With 800 million people in the world going hungry, while 600 million are obese, this right is clearly not being met. In Australia, the concept of the right to food is starting to taking off.There's no doubt that Nutella-filled donuts, freakshakes, and burger joints saturate our social feeds. It's a big hint that our current global food system isn't providing us an even balance of food choices. Running on free trade agreements, a globalised and industrialised food market allows large corporations to flood the market with cheap and nutrient-deficient foods.
Why we need to make good food more affordable, rather than blaming the individual
Last week, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) updated its Position Statement on Obesity for 2016. AMA President Dr. Michael Gannon highlighted obesity is the biggest public health challenge facing the Australian population. It affects more than 60% of Australian adults, who are deemed as overweight or obese. As we've written about before, it's not enough to just tell individuals to eat healthier, or vote with their forks. But what can do about it at a policy level?The AMA for its part has called for policy changes that would make healthier foods the more affordable option compared to junk food. This would mean everyone could actually afford to eat healthy, rather than just dream about it. To achieve that, the AMA called on the federal government to impose a junk food and sugar tax, while providing subsidies for fruit and veggies.
Why we need social changes too (and wtf that means)
Beyond economic incentives, there's also the social stuff to consider. A new whole-of-society approach calls on the federal government to impose stronger control on junk food advertising, improve nutritional literacy, create healthy work environments, and develop urban planning that makes it easier to walk or cycle rather than drive. Double cheers for our health and the environment!Culturally, Hilal Elver says we need to start looking at nutrition as an essential component of the human right to adequate food. How can this be established on an international scale? When implementing comprehensive food policies, nutrition policymaking shouldn't be hijacked by private sector influences and large food corporations.Creating greater food equality doesn't have to be left up to the big dogs on an international or national scale. You can get involved in your local community organisations. Join or volunteer with groups like YFM Australia or Right to Food Coalition. Making change is far more rewarding when we're surrounded by other passionate, supportive humans. Let's do this thing together.Top Image Credit: Julien Menichini Gif source.