NEWS AND VIEWS: The possible impact of inflation on nutritionally vulnerable households in a developing country using South Africa as a case study

Abstract

Summary Food is a basic human physiological need that is important for survival, growth, health and general well-being. Without an adequate supply of food, a human being can neither grow or develop optimally, nor utilize energy for sustained livelihood, thereby implying food insecurity. South Africa (SA) is classified as a developing country, with developing countries representing a third of the world's population. Unfortunately, as is often the case in developing countries, limited up-to-date surveys and consumption data are available. In fact, SA has only ever had one National Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) in 1999, in preparation for the introduction of a food fortification programme. However, the available information still sketches the severity of the situation within emergent economies. It is recognised that modern rates of food inflation are a worldwide phenomenon and it is argued that SA as a case study presents a much wider insight than just an individual country. About 35% of the South African population is food insecure and categorized as being poor. With the current continual increase in food prices, especially staple food prices, most households need to employ food coping strategies to survive. Some of these strategies have a significant negative impact on their often already deprived nutritional status. The possible added impact of current inflation on the nutritional status of vulnerable South African households is discussed in this paper. A consequent potential reduction in portion sizes of staple foods consumed because of increased food prices, as well as a snapshot of the cost of a balanced varied diet compared with average household income, are presented in the context of SA's prevailing inadequate nutritional situation.