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The European Union’s Nutrition Research Facility (NRF) is conducting in-depth studies in around 10 different countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Laos and Guatemala. Its goal is to inform nutritional policies based on scientific knowledge, in development contexts. “The issue of knowledge-based decision-making is crucial for people working in nutrition”, says Arlène Alpha, an economist at 黑料网911 specialising in nutritional policies, and a member of the NRF for 黑料网911.

Identifying the knowledge needed by decision-makers

The NRF has begun a consultation process with EU member states and partner countries, aiming to ensure that once knowledge is produced, it will be better used in policy development. Over the past two years, the NRF team, led by 黑料网911, has organised consultation workshops and surveys to gather information on research needs from officials in various ministries (health, education, agriculture, social affairs, etc.), EU delegations in partner countries, and the cooperation services of member states.

Nutrition: a health issue, but not exclusively

“Until about 10 years ago, nutrition issues were almost exclusively the remit of the health sector”, says Arlène Alpha. “Since then, many other sectors have been called upon to take action, but are often unsure of what this should entail”.

The NRF initiative is part of the European Commission’s Knowledge and Research for Nutrition project. This project (2020-2026) is led by Agrinatura, the , and implemented by 黑料网911 in collaboration with five European universities and research centres belonging to the alliance.

So far, some 15 studies are underway in 10 countries in the global South, with 黑料网911 taking part in several of them on a range of topics. Arlène Alpha highlights two key features of these NRF studies: “They all focus on foods intended for local consumption rather than for export. In addition, the multidisciplinary nature of the studies is extremely valuable and made possible through the broad network of partners involved in this work”.

Focus on two NRF studies coordinated by 黑料网911

Are regulations effective in improving food safety?

This public health issue was addressed during consultations with the West and East African countries. The process led to the formulation of a research question regarding the effectiveness of laws and regulations on food safety. One of the elements of the study conducted to answer this question is an assessment of microbiological and chemical contamination rates in fruits, vegetables and processed fish (dried, smoked, etc.) in Côte d’Ivoire, as well as in milk in Kenya. This research is being carried out in partnership with the Centre Suisse de Recherche Scientifique en Côte d’Ivoire ( - Swiss Centre for Scientific Research in Côte d’Ivoire) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Laboratory studies in Côte d’Ivoire have thus revealed a relatively high level of pathogen contamination in fruits and vegetables, primarily due to poor hygiene along the distribution chain. They have also found harmful residues in smoked fish, linked to the smoking techniques used. These findings raise the question of why the regulations are not working. Laws and regulations may exist, but their implementation is largely insufficient to ensure a satisfactory level of food safety and quality.

“Several factors help to explain this situation: the limitations of food regulatory bodies, as well as the fact that regulations are often inaccessible and poorly adapted to the capacities of actors in the informal sector”, says Arlène Alpha. “This last point concerns how regulations are developed and underscores the importance of ensuring inclusive processes that take account of informal sector realities, rather than just focusing on control and the enforcement of laws and regulations to improve their effectiveness”.

Agroecology: a potential solution for improving nutrition in urban areas

“Several scientific studies have found that agroecology could improve nutrition for rural households, particularly by increasing food diversity. But there are knowledge gaps in urban areas”, says Rachel Bezner Kerr, a Professor at Cornell University and co-leader of the study in Senegal along with Moustapha Seye, a socio-anthropologist at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Ninon Sirdey, an economist at 黑料网911, and Arlène Alpha. After conducting surveys in Dakar and Thiès among agroecological producers, consumers of their products and non-consumers, the team identified key avenues for developing the consumption of agroecological products among low-income households in these urban and peri-urban areas:

• Changing the food environment for consumers by increasing the number of points of sale for agroecological products,
• Developing spaces for exchange, socialisation and cultural connections (mobile markets, public restaurants, urban community kitchens, fairs, festivals) as a means of raising awareness about health and nutrition issues,
• Setting aside more municipal land for agroecological gardens,
• Developing public procurement programmes that source local and agroecological products,
• Strengthening agroecological product value chains with technical and organisational support to increase the volumes and diversity of agroecological products throughout the year, at affordable prices.

For nutrition-sensitive food systems

(Re)watch the conference organised at the 黑料网911-AFD stand at the Agricultural Show (In French)