The findings in this peer-reviewed journal article are based on a literature review and 30 semi-structured interviews with individuals involved in or researching nutrition-related public private partnerships (PPPs) to identify the factors that shape their creation and effectiveness in food systems. The authors found several factors make it difficult to establish and maintain effective nutrition-related PPPs in food systems:
- Lack of understanding of the causal pathways behind many nutrition problems
- Weak architecture for the global governance of nutrition
- Power imbalances between public and private sector nutrition actors; and disagreements in the nutrition community on the advisability of engaging the private sector
The authors conclude that if effective nutrition-related PPPs are to be established, the following need to be addressed and overcome: Private sector conflicts of interest; Trust deficits between private and public sector actors; and Evidence must be assessed as to whether PPPs can achieve more for public health nutrition than private and public sector actors working separately.
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