Last Change:
10/16/2026
Food and Nutrition Act, 2020
Original names of the law: Food and Nutrition Act, 2020
Year: 2020
Type: Domestic law
Rights Category: Health
Description
An Act to provide for the implementation of a national food and nutrition programme; continue the existence of the National Food and Nutrition Commission and re-define its functions; establish the Board of the Commission and define its functions; re-constitute the Board of the Commission and re-define its functions; establish the Food and Nutrition Coordinating Committee and provide for its functions; repeal and replace the National Food and Nutrition Commission Act, 1967; and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.
Selected provisions
5. Functions of Commission
(1)
The functions of the Commission are to—
(a)
register nutritionists, except those registered under the Health Professions Act;
[Act No. 24 of 2009]
(b)
formulate the national food and nutrition programme in the Republic;
(c)
coordinate, monitor and evaluate food and nutrition programmes in order to improve delivery and access to food and nutrition services;
(d)
issue and facilitate the implementation of guidelines for the purposes of this Act;
(e)
carry out research on food and nutritional matters;
(f)
develop and implement a nutrition surveillance system to monitor the food and nutrition situation in the Republic, particularly for vulnerable groups;
(g)
advocate for good nutrition practices among the population;
(h)
promote local nutritious foods;
(i)
collaborate with other relevant institutions in matters relating to food and nutrition;
(j)
establish and maintain a national food and nutrition information system;
(k)
promote provision of adequate diet in public and private institutions;
(l)
in consultation with the Higher Education Authority, coordinate food and nutrition training, in national food and nutrition programmes;
(m)
liaise with professional bodies and institutions at national, regional and international levels in matters related to food and nutrition;
(n)
undertake nutrition assessments and make recommendations to address micronutrient deficiencies of public health significance;
(o)
register nutrition groups; and
(p)
approve food and nutrition programmes or projects to be undertaken by an institution.
33. National food and nutrition programme
The Coordinating Committee shall implement the national food and nutrition programme through the Commission in an integrated manner so as to—
(a)
ensure improved food and nutrition security by maintaining minimum dietary needs of persons or communities;
(b)
promote a person’s right to food and nutrition;
(c)
promote and strengthen coordinated planning and programming across various sectors and geographical convergence of multi-sectoral interventions;
(d)
prioritise food and nutrition security in national and sector plans, budgets and policies; and
(e)
implement regional and international treaties, agreements, protocols and declarations relating to food and nutrition to which the Republic is a State party.