Malnutrition crisis: Rising food inflation hitting the poorest where it hurts
23 July 2023
The announcement by StatsSA on Wednesday of an 11.1% increase in food prices over the past year, comes on the heels of the revelation that severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children younger than five has risen by 26% over the past five years. And earlier this year the Department of Health revealed in answer to a parliamentary question by the DA that 12 582 children aged 0 to 5 years have died in hospitals since 2013 due to moderate and severe acute malnutrition.
It is hardly a wonder that children are starving when South Africans cannot afford basic necessities. Inflation statistics released earlier this week, show that the price of bread increased by 15%, vegetables by 21.2%, and milk, eggs and cheese by 13.8%. The June Household Affordability index indicated that the price of 30 kg maize meal increased by 18% the past year, 5 kg samp now costs 16% more, while 5 kg carrots and 10 kg onions skyrocketed by 40% and 97% respectively.
With the average cost of a household food basket of R5 056,45 and the food poverty line of R663, it is no surprise that a study by the University of Witwatersrand published in January 2023, found that one in five South African households were food insecure.
The DA's Social Development Policy proposes various solutions to address malnutrition. These include: