GLOBAL INDEX 2016

INTRODUCTION
The contribution of business in terms of direct investment, developing new technologies
and aligning business incentives and behavior with the social objectives of sustainable
53, 54
development is necessary for accomplishing all SDG targets.
Examples of the types of activities food and beverage manufacturers can undertake to
address undernutrition in countries where this is a public health issue are:
1. Developing and selling fortified products, and adopting marketing, pricing or
distribution practices that target undernourished consumers. These may generate
revenues and profit at the same time as tackling undernutrition.
2. Supplying food and beverages (or micronutrient powders or specialist products)
– perhaps specially formulated – to programs run by third parties, such as the World
Food Program, which may or may not be designed to be profitable.
3. Dedicating some of their R&D budgets to undernutrition challenges, or developing
new social businesses or innovative practices, which may or may not have a
commercial benefit or link to the company’s core business.
4. Supporting breastfeeding mothers at work.
5. Investing and working with other actors on imaginative and innovative approaches,
products and partnerships, multi-stakeholder innovations to tackle undernutrition,
that combine the business case with the social benefit case.
Some companies have already begun to play a role in helping to prevent and/or address
undernutrition, including among the most vulnerable. For example, through the SUN
business network whose main aim is motivate and mobilise businesses to acknowledge
that they have a role to play in ensuring the right to food and nutrition. 55 Nevertheless, an
enormous problem remains, indicating that there is additional scope for more companies
to join those that have already taken action to address undernutrition and to expand
those initiatives demonstrated to be effective.
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ACCESS TO NUTRITION INDEX GLOBAL INDEX 2016