ATNi's Policy Priorities
We work to strengthen the nutrition economy by supporting policies which incentivize industry to deliver on public health objectives.
Government action, in the form of progressive policies, can incentivize markets to deliver sustainable access to healthier, more affordable foods. Current strategies of industry self-regulation and voluntary actions are failing to improve the food environment quickly enough; mandatory policies are key.
- Fiscal policies that raise the costs of less healthy foods (e.g. those high in fat, salt, and sugar, such as sugar-sweetened beverage taxes) and lower the costs of healthier options through subsidies or other incentives to reduce the price of nutritious foods (e.g. fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes).
- Policies to improve the food environment through the mandatory adoption and use of government-endorsed nutrient profile models (NPMs). Endorsing an NPM is a first step to inform other food environment policies, including mandatory front-of-package nutrition labelling (FOPNL), the use of health claims, and restrictions on marketing to children.
3. Sustainability reporting requirements that include nutrition as a core component. ATNi recognizes that nutrition cannot be separated from planetary health. Our policy priorities favour interventions that deliver co-benefits for human health, environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic resilience.
Engagement with Policymakers
ATNi co-develops research projects in consultation with policy makers and policy advocacy organizations, translating research findings for policymakers to highlight corporate actions and policy gaps. ATNi shows where companies are improving access to healthier, more affordable foods—and where government regulation is needed.
Partnering to drive progressive food policies
ATNi partners with advocacy and policy partners active in national level policy debates. In Kenya, ATNi works with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) to support stronger food systems policies.
Together, they host policy-focused events that bring ATNi data on private sector action into national conversations, building on domestic policy priorities.
Bringing data on private sector activity into policy discussions
In Vietnam, ATNi collaborated with UNICEF and Alive & Thrive to launch our Breastmilk Substitute and Complementary Feeding Index. The index was presented to the government, highlighting areas of progress as well as opportunities to strengthen regulations.
