A critical evaluation of food security based on the GFSI: the case of Poland in comparison with European Union countries

The aim of this article is to assess Poland’s position in terms of food security in comparison with European Union (EU) countries over the period 2012–2022, using the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) as the analytical framework. The analysis encompasses both point and ranking data, as well as the dynamics of change, index volatility, and a comparison with the EU average. The findings indicate a moderate yet consistent improvement in Poland’s situation, bringing it increasingly closer to the EU average. At the same time, the Polish food system demonstrates above-average stability, and its standing has been further strengthened following the methodological revision of the GFSI in 2020. The article also includes a critical analysis of the indicator, highlighting its conceptual limitations and its disregard for alternative perspectives, such as food sovereignty and food democracy, which, if taken into account, could have a significant impact on Poland’s food security position compared to other EU countries. The GFSI thus proves to be a useful tool, yet one that requires supplementation with a broader political and institutional context. Keywords: food security, Poland, European Union, GFSI.