Zero Hidden Hunger EU to counter micronutrient deficiencies with “groundbreaking” research

03 May 2024 --- The new, multi-partner European consortium led by University College Cork, Ireland, has received close to €10 million (US$10.7 million) in funding to research micronutrient deficiencies over the next four years. Zero Hidden Hunger EU aims to estimate prevalence and health costs and develop tailored solutions.

Micronutrient deficiency, or hidden hunger, is a widespread form of malnutrition that significantly challenges European human health and development. The project aims to fill a critical gap in data on the prevalence and underlying causes of micronutrient deficiencies, which are vital to addressing the issue effectively. 

“Zero Hidden Hunger EU represents a landmark effort to confront the silent crisis of micronutrient deficiency in Europe,” comment professors Mairead Kiely and Kevin Cashman at the University College Cork.

“By leveraging innovative research methodologies and collaborative partnerships, we aim to drive meaningful change and ensure equitable access to essential nutrients across European populations.”

The project will use “cutting-edge techniques,” such as high-throughput biomarker analysis and advanced data modeling, to generate credible evidence. The research results will help empower policymakers and food system actors to implement targeted interventions and eradicate European micronutrient deficiencies. 

Prevalence and solutions  
The Zero Hidden Hunger EU project aims to revolutionize the understanding and response to micronutrient deficiencies, recognizing the urgency of the public health issue. 

Priority biomarker and intake data from diverse European populations will result in accurate measures of micronutrient prevalence. The project aims to uncover the true extent of the issue and its associated health costs by focusing on high-risk groups, marginalized communities and vulnerable populations. 

People at particular risk are children, adolescents, pregnant women, older adults, immigrant communities and people affected by social inequalities. According to the European Food Information Council, a partner in the project, this represents around 70% of European citizens. 

In addition, with the evidence on prevalence, the project sets out to develop context-specific, food-focused strategies to ensure adequate micronutrient intake from sustainable sources. It aims to deliver tailored solutions that address micronutrient deficiencies’ root causes by leveraging existing data resources, biobanks and targeted studies. 

The project aims to research micronutrient deficiency prevalence and health costs and develop tailored solutions.Iron and zinc 
The UK-based Quadram Institute will contribute its expertise to the project, specifically looking at iron and zinc deficiencies. Researchers at the institute will conduct, “for the first time,” an assessment of how much bioavailable iron and zinc people can obtain from their diets. 

Through advanced modeling techniques, they will estimate how this may change with dietary shifts, for example, when switching to more plant-based diets. 

“I am delighted to be part of this project that aims to understand the extent of micronutrient deficiencies in Europe and develop innovative solutions to tackle these,” says Dr. Maria Traka from the Food and Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure at the Quadram Institute.

“Micronutrient deficiencies can unfortunately go unnoticed despite posing significant health risks. For some of these micronutrients, it is not only the amounts we are getting from our diets that matter but also whether they are bioavailable, i.e., whether they can be effectively absorbed. For example, the foods we combine in our meals matter for iron and zinc bioavailability, and some plant foods can inhibit our absorption.”

Iron and zinc deficiencies are health problems in many countries around the world. For example, researchers recommended that Tanzania’s policymakers and public health officials focus on zinc biofortification of commodity foods. 

Collective action 
The Zero Hidden Hunger EU consortium comprises 19 organizations, including public and private sector healthcare professionals, top-tier universities and research institutes, social entities such as NGOs, and regional governments. 

For example, partners include Wageningen University in the Netherlands, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the Max Rubner Institute in Germany and the Irish global collaboration platform for researchers and innovators, Crowdhelix. 

The project underscores the importance of collective action to address complex public health challenges in Europe, prioritizing data-driven interventions and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. It is co-funded by the EU, Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and UK Research and Innovation. 

Earlier this week, the Food Fortification Initiative highlighted a lack of regulatory compliance as an obstacle to progress. The organization supports countries worldwide to build fortification programs to reduce micronutrient deficiencies. 

Moreover, the Access to Nutrition Initiative recently joined forces with HarvestPlus to urge the food industry to include micronutrient targets in their sourcing criteria of staple food commodities, aiming to increase their micronutrient content. 

By Jolanda van Hal