Food and nutrition in Brazilian public health: policies, practices, and epistemological challenges for equity and social transformation

Abstract

Background: Food and nutrition play a pivotal role in promoting health and equity within public health. In Brazil, this interdisciplinary field integrates public policies, intersectoral strategies, and civic participation to safeguard the human right to adequate food. These efforts are aligned with broader goals of equity, collective well-being, and health promotion. This study critically examines how national policies—particularly the National Food and Nutrition Policy (PNAN), the National School Feeding Program (PNAE), and the Workers’ Food Program (PAT)—address structural challenges such as food insecurity, corporate influence, and limited civic engagement. It also explores the strategic role of Food and Nutrition Education (EAN), alongside institutional frameworks such as the Unified Health System (SUS), the National Food and Nutrition Security System (SISAN), and participatory bodies like the National Council on Food and Nutrition Security (CONSEA), in advancing equity and fostering social transformation. Methods: A qualitative, document-based review was conducted, combining critical reflection with interdisciplinary analysis. A targeted bibliographic search was performed across SciELO, PubMed, and LILACS. Key initiatives were examined within the frameworks of SUS and SISAN to assess their strategic roles, implementation challenges, and emancipatory potential. Results: Twenty-eight documents were selected. The study highlights significant contributions of national programs and legislation to food and nutrition policy development in Brazil, while revealing persistent obstacles such as food insecurity, corporate influence, and fragmented implementation. Nutritionists and civil society actors emerge as essential agents for democratization, policy advocacy, and the realization of food as a social right. Conclusion: A critical and emancipatory approach is needed to reposition food within public health as both a right and a catalyst for dignity. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting family agriculture, and expanding civic engagement are key strategies to transform Brazil’s food systems and improve collective health outcomes.