Why are you focusing on access to nutrition?
Malnutrition affects billions of people globally. Maternal and child undernutrition alone leads to 3.5 million deaths each year, accounts for 11 percent of the global burden of disease, and impairs hundreds of thousands of growing minds¹. Obesity has also become a global challenge that now affects both developed and emerging market countries. The food and beverage industry plays a large role in nutrition; most food and beverages consumed in the developed world, and a growing percentage in emerging markets, are made and/or delivered by the private sector. The nutrition practices of the food and beverage industry are therefore central in fighting malnutrition, from undernutrition to obesity. By challenging companies to improve their nutrition practices, the ATNI aims to increase consumers’ access to more nutritious products and ultimately contribute to addressing the serious global problem of malnutrition.
Why create an Index?
An Index provides a clear picture of what companies are doing to improve access to nutrition. By presenting information on different companies in a comparable format, we hope to stimulate companies to improve their practices and achieve the standards of leading companies.
Who is developing ATNI?
The Access to Nutrition Index is being developed by a team of experts at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition with the support of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust. An Expert Group comprising a range of stakeholders has been convened to advise on the development of the Index methodology. Separately, an Independent Advisory Panel consisting of a balanced group of stakeholders, including the three funding organizations, provides strategic advice on the development of the ATNI. To ensure objectivity, neither body includes anyone currently employed by the food and beverage manufacturing industry. ATNI will be launched outside of GAIN by a separate stand-alone organization.
When will the Index be released to the public?
The ATNI will be under development in 2012. Following the public consultation on the Index methodology in late 2011, the methodology will be finalized, a set of companies will be assessed, and an Index with company ratings will be published.
Is the ATNI a membership organization?
No, the ATNI operates independently and is not a membership organization.
Can I receive regular updates about the ATNI?
Yes, you may sign up to the ATNI Global Stakeholder Network through the “Sign up” link on the home page to receive future updates on the progress of the project.
What is the Access to Nutrition Index based on?
The development of the ATNI is informed by a wealth of previous studies, nutrition guidelines, and commitments made by the food and beverage industry. The ATNI also builds on previous recommendations and assessments of the nutrition practices of food and beverage companies, including:
- The World Health Organization, “Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and health,” 2004.
- City University, “The Food Industry, Diet, Physical Activity and Health: A Review of Reported Commitments and Practice of 25 of the World’s Largest Food Companies,” 2006.
- Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, “Business as a Partner in Tackling Micronutrient Deficiency: Lessons in Multisector Partnership,” 2006.
- Insight Investment and International Business Leaders Forum, “A Recipe for Success: How food companies can profit from consumer health,” 2007.
- JP Morgan and Insight Investment, “The Proof of the Pudding: Analysis of the responses of ten of the world’s largest food companies to obesity and related health concerns,” 2008.
For a complete list of ATNI foundational documents, click here.
Who funds the ATNI?
The development of the Access to Nutrition Index is funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust and GAIN.
Does the ATNI receive any funding from the food and beverage industry?
No.
Which companies will be assessed by the ATNI?
The companies to be assessed have not yet been selected. When it is launched, the ATNI will comprise a Core Index of 25 of the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturers, and three Spotlight Indexes that assess ten of the largest food and beverage manufacturers operating in India, Mexico and South Africa, respectively.
Will the ATNI assess companies along the food value chain, including food retailers and fast-food companies?
In order to compare companies operating at the same segment of the value chain, the first edition of the ATNI will focus only on food and beverage manufacturers. It will not include food retailers, food service companies, or other companies at different stages of the value chain as these companies are not deemed to be direct competitors to food and beverage manufacturers.
How were the three “Spotlight” countries selected?
The ATNI will include three “Spotlight” indexes focused on India, South Africa, and Mexico. Each of these countries, which represent different geographies, has a high “double burden” of obesity and undernutrition, large numbers of malnourished people, and a relatively well-developed food and beverage industry.
Does the ATNI look at other critical issues in the food and beverage sector, such as sustainability of agriculture, food security, water scarcity, or climate change?
No. While these issues are important, and some have a bearing on nutrition, the focus of this initiative is solely on companies’ efforts to provide all consumers with access to nutritious products.
How is the ATNI methodology being developed?
The ATNI project team is developing the methodology with the advice of an international, independent Expert Group. The draft methodology will be the subject of an open, global consultation process in 2011. Input received from this consultation process will be incorporated into the final methodology.
How will the Access to Nutrition Index assess companies that manufacture breast-milk substitutes?
For the handful of companies to be ranked by ATNI that manufacture breast-milk substitutes, their compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes will be incorporated into the Index assessment methodology. Exactly how this will be done is in the process of being determined and will take into consideration input from experts and the public consultation process.
What information will you use to assess companies?
Companies will be rated by assessing the information they put in the public domain (such as their websites, reports, and brochures) and information from third parties. Companies will also be invited to meet with the ATNI research team to discuss their practices and activities related to improving access to nutrition.
During the research phase, will companies be provided details on the weighting/scoring scheme (so as to help them prioritize their information gathering efforts)?
Yes, the methodology (including weighting and scoring) will be made available in its entirety during the engagement phase of research. As a reminder, companies will not be asked to complete a survey; instead, they will be provided a preliminary scorecard based on desk research from publicly-available data, which will then be augmented with company interviews.
Who will conduct the analysis of companies’ nutrition policies and practices?
MSCI ESG Research Inc., a leading provider of investment decision support tools, will conduct the research for ATNI. For more information, please click here.
If you have additional questions, please contact us.
¹The Lancet’s Series on Maternal and Child Undernutrition, Volume 371, January 19, 2008.
