Evaluation of national policy for healthy food environment in Togo and formulation of evidence-based recommendations using Food-EPI

Food systems play a central role in humans’ motivations and social interactions calling public authorities to implement effective policies for healthy, sustainable and peaceful food environments. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the level at which public policies implemented in Togo contribute to the establishment of a healthy, sustainable and equitable food environment in the country. The study was performed using the Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) which assesses “Policy” and “Infrastructure Support” components, key determinants in shaping healthier and more sustainable food environments. The tool was adapted to the triple burden to fight against all forms of malnutrition. A total of 59 indicators were validated and used to assess the extent of policy implementation and infrastructure support for creating a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food environment in Togo. When compared with international best practices, implementation levels were found to be below 40% for the majority of indicators. Concerning the triple burden of malnutrition, only two indicators reached implementation levels of up to 60%. Based on these results, experts formulated recommendations that were subsequently ranked according to their potential impact, sustainability, feasibility, and their effects on the triple burden and gender equity. From this process, ten priority recommendations were identified. Overall, the study highlights the current state of public policies shaping the food environment in Togo and shows that considerable efforts are still required to achieve healthy, sustainable and equitable food environment. In the context of harmonization in West Africa, such efforts in Togo and its neighbor countries are opportunities to move the region toward the targets of Sustainable Development Goals.