Food affordability crisis forces South African households to choose between cost and nutrition

South Africa's escalating food affordability crisis is compelling households to make difficult choices between the cost of food and its nutritional quality, often resulting in cheaper, less nutritious options. According to the September Household Affordability Index by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD), the price gap between a typical household food basket and a basic nutritional food basket for a family of seven is significant - R1 167.23 higher.

Mervyn Abrahams, from PMBEJD, noted that families are cutting back on food quality as they manage their budgets. Transport and electricity costs consume a large portion of the national minimum wage, leaving less than half for a basic nutritional food basket for a family of four. The health implications are dire, with stunting rates among children under five and high rates of diabetes and non-communicable diseases directly linked to insufficient nutrition.

Dr Heinrich Volmink of Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa emphasizes that while cheaper foods may meet calorie needs, they often lack essential nutrients, leading to long-term health issues like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. The 2024 National Food and Nutrition Security Survey found that 58.1% of households have an acceptable food consumption score, while 23.3% are borderline and 18.6% are poor.

Chronic diseases, which account for 60.6% of all deaths in South Africa, are largely attributed to unhealthy diets, including high salt, sugar, and saturated fat consumption. The National Department of Health warns that a poor food consumption score does not necessarily mean nutrient deficiencies but highlights the risk of nutritional inadequacy due to limited dietary variety.