Healthy diet cost up 25% in five years, UN agency reports

A healthy diet has become increasingly unaffordable, with its cost rising 25% in five years, according to new data from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Nearly one in three people worldwide now lacks access to nutritious food. The FAO report, set to be fully unveiled at the organization's Rome headquarters, has already seen preliminary results presented at a New York press conference.

While the exact composition of a healthy diet varies by individual and culture, the FAO and WHO define fundamental principles. These include adequacy, balance, diversity, and moderation in consuming components linked to negative health effects. Food must also be safe to prevent certain illnesses.

The rising cost of healthy eating presents a significant global challenge, impacting a substantial portion of the world's population. The full findings of the FAO report are expected to provide further insights into the scope and implications of this issue.