FOOD systems and policy PATHways for equal population nutrition in Europe

Governments across Europe recognise the critical importance of a healthy diet for the well-being of their citizens. However, significant health disparities exist, with different socioeconomic groups having unequal access to healthy foods necessary for maintaining good health.

Over the past decade, socioeconomic inequalities in diet and health have widened. These disparities are linked to detrimental changes in the food environment, and the various contexts in which people interact with the food system to make their food choices. Traditional government strategies have focused on encouraging individuals to change their dietary behaviour without addressing the underlying food environment, resulting in limited success, and exacerbating inequalities.

In response to increasing dietary and health inequalities exacerbated by changes in the food environment and the urgent need for food policies to improve food environments for all citizens, FOODPATH has been launched.

FOODPATH will analyse the societal, commercial, and political factors that influence our food behaviours. Using this data researchers across Europe will identify comprehensive solutions to promote healthier food environments allowing equal access to healthier food for all in society.

FOODPATH includes partners from six European countries: Ireland, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Türkiye.

FOODPATH aims to understand the leverage points to break the cycles that perpetuate unhealthy dietary behaviours and food-related inequalities in Europe. The initiative will:

• Explore the complex web of determinants leading to poor diets.
• Provide structural insights and solutions to improve the food environment.
• Propose comprehensive actions and policies to promote healthy dietary choices for the entire population.

FOODPATH is funded by ZonMw under the umbrella of the Partnership Fostering a European Research Area for Health (ERA4Health). The EU-funded ERA4Health Partnership brings together 33 partners and 27 funding organisations from 22 countries, with the common goal of fostering high-impact translational research for addressing public health needs.