Feeding health: problems, opportunities, goals.

Food security is when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. On the one hand, the European Union Commission proposes new laws to achieve the highest possible levels of protection for human health and consumer interests in relation to food, plants and biodiversity. On the other hand, International Agencies (WHO, FAO, EU) pay attention to malnutrition and its consequences for health; poor people are usually the ones that suffer the consequences of underfeeding or dietary excess. In Italy, the mission of Food and Nutrition Services (Public Health National Service) is to promote food safety and good nutrition for the population; furthermore, they must pay attention to social equity. Suppressing or reducing their activity would be detrimental for public health and the national economy.