Nutrition in Jordan Update and Plan of Action

The main aims of the the present Nutrition Policy are: 1) Reduce the prevalence and burden of diet-related diseases; 2) Ensure that the food products are safe in terms of health; 3) Strengthen the influence of the consumer on the food and nutrition policy; 4) Promote safe production, distribution and marketing of food products, and to safe behavioural and consumption patterns related to health, environment and resources. Based on the afore-mentioned aims, the Food and Nutrition Policy should therefore address: 1) Control of nutritional disorders including micronutrient deficiencies; 2) Maternal and child health and breastfeeding patterns; 3) Control of communicable diseases; 4) Control of non-communicable diseases; 5) Balance of food intake and physical exercises; 6) Legislation on food security and safety.
The Plan is divided into two Parts. The first Part outlines the current food and nutrition situation in Jordan in five main chapters: Chapter I is the country profile, Chapter II presents food and nutrition patterns, Chapter III outlines policies of food security, Chapter IV discusses malnutrition, breastfeeding and micronutrients deficiencies, and Chapter V discusses food safety. The second Part is divided into two main chapters: Chapter VI defines what food and nutrition policy is, and Chapter VII presents the proposed policy objectives and strategic directions. Policy Objective (1): Incorporating healthy nutrition objectives into the National Health Development Plan. The overall purpose is to strengthen the nutrition component in national development plans, government policies and programmes. Policy Objective (2): Improving food security. The overall objective of the policy is to improve the nutritional status of the people of Jordan through multi-sectoral and coordinated interventions that focus on food security and improved nutrition. This policy objective is consistent with the policies and strategic directions of the National Agricultural Development Strategy 2003-2010. Policy Objective (3): Strengthening food safety and consumer protection. Policy Objective (4): Promoting infant and childhood nutrition and preventing micronutrient deficiencies. Policy Objective (5): Improving the nutrition of the disadvantaged, socio-economically deprived and nutritionally vulnerable groups. Policy objective (6): Preventing Diet Related to Non-communicable Disease.