Food and nutrition insecurity is an increasingly urban phenomenon. In low- and middle-income countries, cities are epicentres of a dietary transition, with people shifting away from local staples towards more globally produced, high-fat, and high-calorie ultra-processed foods. The access to diverse foods in urban areas offers opportunities for improving nutrition, but also challenges. The expansion of large multinational food manufacturers, retailers, and restaurant chains and their ability to target an ever-growing customer base are key drivers of this transition, though small- and medium-sized food companies also play a role. Governance of urban and peri-urban food systems, including regulation of and incentives for companies, therefore offers a critical entry point to improve food security and nutrition outcomes and to transform food systems towards more sustainability.

The concept note for South Africa’s G20 presidency rightly recognises the imperative of food security and proposes the establishment of a task force on food security, but the proposal is too focused on production. The post-farmgate part of the food system is increasingly important, and food system diversity (ie, the existence of market channels of different types, scales, and forms of ownership, as well as the availability of a wide range of healthy and affordable foods) is critical to transform food systems towards greater sustainability and equity.

Our call is for G20 governments to use a broader vision of food security beyond production, considering the unique dynamics and needs of cities, particularly in the Global South. First, we call on governments to support and invest in city-level food systems governance. Second, we call for policy to provide strong guardrails to ensure that food environments are conducive to healthier and more sustainable options. And third, we call for stricter regulation of companies on labelling, advertising, and the availability of nutritious food.