WHO/FAO Inter-Regional meeting to promote healthy diets through the informal food sector in Asia, 20–22 August 2019, Bangkok, Thailand

Overview

The out of home food sector in Asia plays a critical role in the food systems, environment, and lifestyles of urban South-East Asian populations. Out of home foods are mostly informally retailed, but contributes to food security by improving accessibility to foods. Informal food retail such as street food vending is also an important source of employment, specially for low income households.   A scoping review done by WHO showed that a sizable proportion of the urban Asian population regularly consume out of home foods. Some traditional foods and meals are healthy, but often, foods are often of poor dietary quality and contribute towards unhealthy diets and increased risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).  For Asian countries looking to reduce the double burden of malnutrition and diet related risks of NCDs, active engagement to support availability of safe and healthy food choices in the informally retailed food sector is vital. This preliminary consultation was held to share experiences and discuss the way forward to improving dietary quality of out of home foods.