Rising prices have led to a decrease in the consumption of many essential and consumable items among the public, to the extent that the Director General of the Office for Community Nutrition Improvement at the Ministry of Health has stated that the daily requirement for dairy consumption is three units, while the actual consumption in Iran is one unit per day. Ahmad Ismailzadeh also mentioned that dairy consumption is particularly important for children, the elderly suffering from osteoporosis, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Jalal Rahmani, the Deputy Health of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, also stated on Wednesday, January 24, that 'the daily consumption of dairy should be 250 grams, but currently, it is only 104 grams.' The Tehran Chamber of Commerce reported on September 12 this year in a report titled 'Warning Signal for Dairy Consumption' that 'after the removal of preferential currency for livestock feed, dairy prices increased and consumption reached its lowest level in the past 10 years.' The prevailing market trends and statistics regarding dairy consumption in Iran indicate that the government's policy of subsidizing livestock feed and setting controlled prices for dairy products has not been effective. Accordingly, Reza Bakri, the Secretary of the Iranian Dairy Products Industries Association, stated on December 26 this year that 'people do not have the purchasing power even for controlled-price dairy products.' The decrease in dairy consumption has also penetrated cities known for traditional and industrial livestock farming. In this context, the Director of Food, Cosmetic, and Health Supervision at Ibn Sina University of Medical Sciences in Hamadan stated on December 26 that dairy consumption in Hamadan is low and unfortunately, 'the high prices of dairy products' have further impacted consumption among the residents of Hamadan. The Secretary of the Union of Producers and Exporters of Dairy Industries in Khorasan Razavi also stated on October 15 this year that with the increase in dairy product prices in May of this year, 'per capita dairy consumption in the province has decreased by 20 to 30 percent.'
Inflation's Impact on Public Health; Dairy Consumption in Iran Has Decreased
Dairy consumption in Iran has significantly decreased due to rising prices, with actual consumption far below the recommended daily intake. Key figures from health and industry sectors highlight the detrimental impact of economic policies on public health, particularly for vulnerable populations. This trend raises concerns about nutrition and health standards in the country.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Dairy consumption in Iran has drastically decreased due to rising prices, with actual consumption levels falling well below recommended daily intake. Health officials are raising alarms about the negative impact on vulnerable populations.
- Daily dairy consumption in Iran is currently one unit, far below the recommended three units.
- Dairy prices have increased significantly after the removal of preferential currency for livestock feed.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has been facing economic difficulties, including inflation and currency devaluation, which have affected food prices and consumption patterns.
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Translation confidence: 85%