ARTICLE INFO | ABSTRACT | |
ORIGINAL ARTICLE | Background: Solving the problem of food and nutrition security requires the integration of various sectors of the society. Determining the role of each sector in promoting people’s health has presented intersectoral collaboration and transformed the theory of social health determinant approach into action. In this study, with a new approach, and in regards, the national organizations responsible for food and nutrition security have been classified and the role of each has been identified as functions and responsibilities. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted by studying the documents and programs related to food and nutrition security, as well as semi-structured interviews and focused group discussion with two groups, including experts and executives. To determine the role of organizations, the food supply chain was used. Results: According to the food chain, organizations responsible for food and nutrition security in Iran can be divided into three categories: 1. Responsible governance in the economic, political, social, technological, international, and environmental changes affecting food and nutrition security, 2. Responsible governance in the main process of food and nutrition security 3. Supportive sectors and systems for food and nutrition security. Generally speaking, it appears that the government responsible for the main process of food and nutrition security are made up of institutions responsible for providing adequate food, responsible governance for food safety, and responsible governance in the field of nutrition and body consumption. Conclusion: The findings of this study aimed to explain the expectations and responsibilities of ministries and organizations responsible for food and nutrition security. Keywords: Food, Nutrition security; Intersectoral collaboration |
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Article history: Received: 30 Sep 2017 Revised: 18 Dec 2017 Accepted: 14 Feb 2018 |
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*Corresponding author: bdamari@tums.ac.ir Department of Social Determinants of Health, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Postal code: 1416833481 Tel: +98 21 66407822 |
Table 1. Food security status of provinces in Iran | |
Food security status | Provinces |
Very secure | Qom, Isfahan, Semnan, Tehran, Yazd |
Secure | East Azarbaijan, Qazvin, Mazandaran |
Relatively secure | Zanjan, West Azarbaijan, Khorasan Razavi, North Khorasan, Markazi, Hamedan, Golestan, Gilan |
Relatively unsecure | Ardebil, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Fars, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Lorestan, South Khorasan |
Unsecure | Khuzestan, Kerman, Ilam, Bushehr |
Very unsecure | Hormozgan, Kohkiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Sistan and Baluchestan |
Table 2. Types of sectors responsible for food and nutrition security in Iran | ||
Sectors’ types | Sectors’ names | |
Governance responsible for economic, political, social, technological, international, and environmental changes | Islamic Consultative Council Expediency Council Ministry of Economy and Finance (including customs) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Organization of the Environment Ministry of Works and Social Welfare Deputy of Planning and Applied Control for the President (including municipalities, and governors) Organization of Targeted Subsidies Supreme Safety Council of the Country Organization of Country’s Inspection High Council of Research and Technology Science (known as ATF Council) Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) Ministry of Agriculture |
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Responsible governance in the main process of nutrition and food safety | Sustainable food supply | Ministry of Agriculture (including the Veterinary Organization, and Fisheries Organization) Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade |
Food safety | Food and Drug Organization National Standards Organization Center for Health, Work, and Environment at the Health Vice-chancellor of MOHME Plant Protection Organization (Ministry of Jihad-Agriculture) Veterinary Organization (Ministry of Jihad-Agriculture) |
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Nutrition | Bureau of Nutrition Improvement at the Health Vice-chancellor Deputy of treatment of MOHME Deputy of Education of MOHME Deputy of Management Development and Resources of MOHME |
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Supportive sectors and systems for nutrition and food safety | Supportive sectors | Anti-Smuggling Headquarters and the Police Force Ministry of Justice (Government Organization) Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry of Education Organization of Literacy Media Organization Imam Khomeini Relief Committee Ministry of Energy (Healthy Water Supply for Agriculture) Prisons Organization Welfare Organization Crisis Management Organization The Ministry of Work and Social Welfare (as an annual budget allocator for malnutrition reduction) Deputy of Strategic Planning and Supervision of the President (Adoption and Modification of Pricing) Ministry of the Country Islamic Consultative Assembly and Judiciary |
Production, distribution and sales networks | The Country’s Food Industry Associations Food Industry and Food Production Associations Supreme Import Board (Food Importers) The Central ::union:: for Monitoring and Coordination of Food Producers (Farmers and veterans) ::union:: of Food Transportation Companies Commerce and Ministry of Mining and Industry (stock regulation of main materials and excellent supervision over distribution and trade ::union::s, including production and distribution, companies and large and chained stores of distribution) |
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Educational, research, counseling, and advocacy networks | Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology Statistics Center of Iran Agricultural Engineering Organization Institute for Trade Studies and Research and the Research Institute of Cereals and Bread Veterinary Organization Medical Council Institute of Nutrition Research and Food Industry of the Country School of Nutrition and Food Industry Related research centers Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Islamic Consultative Research Center Research Institute of Planning Agricultural Economics and Rural Studies Scientific Associations Related to Food, Nutrition, and Food Industry Knowledge-Based Companies Representative Regional Office of WHO in the Mediterranean UNICEF FAO and WFP representative office in Iran |
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Consumers | Association for Protection of Consumers and Manufacturers Islamic Urban and Rural Councils Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), particularly Association for the Protection of Consumers’ Rights |
Table 3. Functions and responsibilities of the government responsible for the main process of nutrition and food security in Iran | |||
Area | Sector | Function | Responsibilities |
Sustainable Food Supply | Ministry of Agriculture, including Veterinary Organization, Fisheries, and the Organization for Plant Protection | Planning and policy-making for sustainability of production Improvement of Agricultural Research |
Increasing productivity factors, reduction and optimal management of agricultural wastes Adequate and timely agricultural inputs Promotion of agricultural knowledge and production methods Increasing awareness and utilization of knowledge in the agricultural sector Sustainable use of basic resources in the agricultural sector Identifying the optimal cropping pattern and creating agricultural production poles |
Planning and policy making to improve the quality and safety of agricultural products | Establishing a system for monitoring and controlling the quality of agricultural products Increase the fertility of the country’s soil Improve agricultural research and promote the use of research findings in agriculture |
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Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade | Reviewing policies and market regulation procedures in line with food and nutrition security policies | Establishing a monitoring system for fixing the food prices or reducing the fluctuations Developing and equipping food chain supply, in particular creating appropriate access for consumers Collaborating in development of national food standards based on international standards Access to new technology in the food industry Co-ordination with the Vice-chancellor of Health in implementing health protocols, with particular emphasis on the need for export-import management approach by this Ministry Provision and production of Permix needed for enrichment of the country’s food with the right price and quality Control of food products entering the country illegally Set up and upgrading the system and strengthening the monitoring and control of food imports and raw materials used in the food industry |
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Food safety | Food and Drug Organization (including affiliated laboratories) | Food and beverages monitoring | Scientific examination and issuance of health permits for the production and import of foods and beverages Educate and encourage the use of food and beverage safety management systems Considering people’s complaints against Food and beverage products Scientific review of food and beverage additives and reduction of risk factors Application of food labeling program based on existing criteria |
National Standard Organization of Iran | Training and promoting the standardization of food chain and nutrition in production units and at community level | Monitoring the production and supply of food products Reducing the food safety hazards (including determining the limits for pesticides, and heavy metals) The control and monitoring transgenic, complementary, healthy, and organic foods, as well as development and revision of new national standards for food products |
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Center of Health, Work , and Environment at Health vice-chancellor of MOHME | Supervising centers for the supply and distribution of food and beverages | Healthy and safe food supply (provision of healthy and safe food for public places for different groups of people | |
Plant Protection Organization (Ministry of Agricultural Jihad) |
Planning and policy development to improve the quality and ensuring the health of agricultural products (determining maximum residuals) | Decrease and optimize the use of chemical inputs in the agricultural sector Developing and implementing standards in the agricultural sector |
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Veterinary Organization (Ministry of Agricultural Jihad) | Monitoring the safety of raw animal food | ||
Nutrition | Bureau of Nutrition Improvement in the Health vice-chancellor | Education, culturing, and increasing nutritional literacy of the society | Nutritional health from the beginning of life Local and regional empowerment in the field of healthy eating habits Educating nutrition and healthy lifestyle in different educational levels in collaboration with education organization Organize scientific meetings and conferences for relevant authorities of all departments, organizations and etc. |
Deputy of Treatment of MOHME | Review and strengthen the nutrition and diet therapy in hospitals | Development of related practical and clinical guidelines, including management of the hospital’s food, in collaboration with the Nutrition Improvement Office | |
Deputy of Education of MOHME | Increasing knowledge and skills of nutrition students with focus on different fields | Supporting the necessary financing to set up nutrition period with different trends Communication and cooperation of international universities for improvement of nutrition program, particularly in PhD |
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Deputy of Management Development and Resources of MOHME | Analyze and assess the quantity and quality of manpower needed to establish nutrition document and food security in the country Carry out the necessary coordination to increase funding for food and nutrition security |
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