Global Partnership for Nutrition Initiative (GPNI) is a bold and visionary initiative responding to the global crisis of unhealthy food systems, particularly the excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats in foods consumed by children. At the intersection of health equity, nutrition justice, and sustainable development, GPNI champions healthier food environments by working with the most under-supported yet critical actors in food production: small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
GPNI bridges the gap between global nutrition policy and local implementation by supporting SMEs in reformulating products, advocating for improved regulations, influencing consumer behavior, and generating data to enhance decision-making. Our vision is a future where every child—regardless of geography—has access to affordable, healthy, and safe food.
Today, the global food environment for young children is in crisis. Across LMICs, a rising tide of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats is replacing traditional, nutrient-dense diets. Poorly regulated food systems have allowed an influx of low-quality commercially produced foods for children (CPFC), with aggressive marketing strategies targeting parents of infants and toddlers. The result: childhood stunting, micronutrient deficiencies, and a worrying increase in childhood obesity. This crisis is particularly alarming in Africa and Southeast Asia, where rapid urbanization, weak regulatory oversight, and limited public awareness are compounding the problem. Yet, amidst this challenge lies a critical and often overlooked opportunity, the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that produce many packaged foods in these regions. SMEs are the backbone of the food system in LMICs, contributing over 70% of locally produced packaged food for young children. However, they often operate in resource-constrained environments, with limited access to technical expertise, quality standards, and support for reformulation. Rather than vilify them, GPNI seeks to empower them.
To transform the global children’s food system by supporting SMEs in low- and middle-income countries to produce nutritious, affordable foods, influencing policy, and scaling sustainable innovation for a healthier food environment.
GPNI envisions a world where every child, regardless of geography or income, has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. By 2030, GPNI aims to support over 500 SMEs, influence 10+ national policies, and improve the diets of 10 million children.
GPNI was founded on the principle that every child has a right to nutritious, safe, and affordable food, regardless of geography, income, or background. Food systems must protect, nourish, and preserve children, not harm them.
We center the voices and needs of the most vulnerable populations, including children in under-resourced communities. The organization works to level the playing field for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), marginalized families, and local producers.
Recognizing the dynamic nature of food markets and policy landscapes, GPNI is committed to innovation, responsiveness, and continuous improvement. The organization adapts global models (like the WHO Nutrient Profiling Model) to local conditions.
All of GPNI’s interventions are rooted in sound science, global standards (e.g., WHO, Codex), and empirical evidence. The organization believes in continuous learning, rigorous data collection, and adapting global tools to local realities.
Through tools such as public dashboards and open data platforms, GPNI champions transparency in food composition, marketing practices, and company behaviour, holding all stakeholders accountable to children's health.
Added sugars, salt and trans fats are major risk factors for developing non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. By promoting awareness, providing support to food manufacturing organisations, fostering partnerships, and advocating for policy changes, GPNI strives to create a sustainable future where healthier food choices are the norm, leading to improved global health outcomes and a reduction in diet-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
You can get involved by spreading awareness, participating in events, or partnering with us to implement healthier food policies. Visit our "Partnership" page for more details.
The funding support program is available to small and medium, food manufacturing organisations in low and middle income countries (LMIC) committed to reducing added sugar, salt, and trans fatty acids in their products.
The ultimate goal of GPNI is to foster a global shift towards healthier dietary habits by advocating for reducing added sugar, salt, and trans-fats in foods. This campaign aims to significantly improve public health outcomes, particularly among children, by addressing the growing health concerns associated with excessive consumption of these components.
We provide technical assistance, funding support, and training to help food manufacturers reformulate their products to contain less added sugar, salt, and trans fatty acids. Our programs include needs assessments, tailored support plans, and capacity-building workshops.
We offer a buffet of resources, including educational materials, research reports, guidelines for healthier eating and case studies of successful sugar reduction strategies. These resources are available on our website under the "Resources" section.
