Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, par. 4 (2020)

Text of the recommendation

The right to health is an inclusive right extending not only to timely and appropriate health care but also to the underlying determinants of health, such as an adequate supply of safe food and nutrition. States’ obligations therefore include ensuring equal access for all to nutritiously safe food as an underlying determinant of health. As adequate food is a human right in itself, States obligations include ensuring everyone’s access to the minimum essential food that is sufficient, nutritionally adequate and safe; this involves food in sufficient quantity and quality to satisfy individuals’ dietary needs, with a mix of nutrients for physical and mental growth, development and maintenance.