Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Community Nutrition, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.34172/JHAD.92358
Abstract
Background: Food security has always been emphasized as a primary goal of sustainable development policies. Events, such
as the COVID-19 outbreak, climate change, wars, and unjust (cruel) sanctions against countries threaten global food security.
Therefore, considering the importance of nutrition and food consumption in budget planning and household shopping, we
indirectly examined the cost of providing an optimal food basket for the Iranian community, in total and by separating its
components based on the average price of selected food items in urban areas from year 1399-1401 in the Solar Hijri calendar
(2020 to 2022).
Methods: In this cross-sectional costing study, the country’s desired food basket was used as a reference for cost measurement
of an acceptable food basket, and information on food prices and household expenses was obtained from the Statistical Center
of Iran and the Central Bank. The cost of providing an optimal food basket for the Iranian community, in total and for each
component, was calculated for an individual and a family of four. After extracting the cost information of providing an optimal
food basket in these three years, the data were compared and analyzed to study the trend.
Results: Based on the costs of providing an optimal household basket, the average food cost for a family of four in 1399 (2020-
2021) was about 3.2 million Tomans, which increased by 27% to 4.365 million Tomans in 1400 (2021-2022), and in 1401
(October 2022), it reached 6.785 million Tomans, a 35% increase compared to 1400 (2021-2022).
Conclusion: It is suggested to support vulnerable groups and target subsidies according to different income levels. The salaries
and wages should be revised in line with inflation food prices and household expenses, and also policymakers and planners are
suggested to monitor the prices
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