Early and young child feeding in South Africa: expert assessment of public policy using food-EPI

Abstract

Stunting under the age of two years remains a significant public health problem in South Africa. This study used data from the 2023/24 Food-EPI assessment to benchmark implementation of public nutrition policy related to undernutrition to develop recommendations for priority policy action. The assessment included ratings by an expert panel including academics, civil society, and government representatives (n = 13). Implementation of food fortification was rated as high, and access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in public areas was rated as low. Policies on breastfeeding and restrictions on the marketing of breast milk substitutes need to be updated and/or enforced. Breastfeeding in public and workplaces needs to be supported, the informal sector regulated, and breastfeeding and complementary feeding targets and growth monitoring attended to. The need to address stunting requires a systems approach to tackle undernutrition, as suggested by the UNICEF Nutrition Strategy 2020-2030.