Safe Food and Non-Communicable Diseases in the Global South

Without a doubt, chronic illnesses have emerged as the predominant cause of death in nearly all nations of the Global South. The prevalence of food-linked non-communicable diseases (NCDs) significantly hinders development. The transition of higher incidence of NCDs from the developed world to the Global South has long been a matter of apprehension for health professionals, public health experts, food scientists, and scholars. This transition has garnered considerable attention, particularly concerning health policies on NCDs, unhealthy dietary habits, and risky behaviours such as lack of exercise, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. These elements form the basis for crucial new interventions in comprehending NCDs and represent the initial steps towards their prevention. This chapter delves into how food-linked NCDs have taken the forefront as a leading cause of mortality in the Global South, thereby exerting an economic strain. Additionally, it acknowledges and explores how insufficient physical activity, unhealthy eating practices, smoking, and health policies might contribute to the prevalence of NCDs. It also examines how implementing health policies concerning NCDs can help alleviate their incidence and escalating prevalence in the Global South.