Globalization of Food Systems in Developing Countries

Food systems are being transformed at an unprecedented rate as a result of global economic and social change. Urbanization, foreign direct investment in markets of developing countries, and increasing incomes are prime facilitators, while social changes such as the increased number of women in the workforce and rural to urban migration, provide added stimulus. Changes are also facilitated by food production based on intensive agriculture, new food processing and storage technologies, longer product shelf-life, the emergence of food retailers such as fast food outlets and supermarkets and the intensification of advertising and marketing of certain products. The sum of these changes has resulted in diverse foods that are available all year for those who can afford them, as well as a shift in home-prepared and home-based meals to pre-prepared or ready to eat meals, often consumed away from home. These food system and lifestyle changes are in turn having an impact on the health and nutritional status of people in developing countries. There is an indication of rapid increases in overweight and obesity and an increasing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases.