Food colonialism occurs when food resources in a nation are controlled predominantly by wealthier external powers, creating a significant dependency. Food colonialism often exists without those living under it ever being able to detect it. In fact, many parties that exploit lower-income nations actually present themselves as saviours providing resources in times of deep crisis. This results in a forceful replacement of local food with imported and processed food, damaging local agriculture and forcing “western” diets onto communities.
Corporate Claims on Natural Resources
Although it is called food colonialism, such behaviours apply to water as well. For example, some multinational corporations have been accused of collecting and selling surface water for highly inflated prices, exploiting local water sources and blocking local access to fresh water. This behaviour is especially harmful in drought-prone areas and contributes to water inadequacies. Beyond access, the bottling industry has also had long-lasting environmental impacts. Popular companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Unilever are among the top plastic polluters globally.
Although the impacts of these mass-producing companies are global, they are not felt equally. Wealthier regions, such as Europe and the United Kingdom, have firmer regulations on food distribution and consumption than developing regions. They often follow a strict “farm-to-fork” principle. This enforces transparent labelling and strict food safety regulations to protect citizens’ health. This is why food colonialism is so highly concentrated in lower-income regions, which lack such regulations due to time and financial restraints.
Credit: Farm to Fork strategy, via the European Commission
Profit-seeking Behaviors Disregard Health
Without strongly enforced regulations, companies are able to do as they please to improve profitability, regardless of the health impacts. Companies like Nestlé have notoriously been accused of increasing the amount of sugar that is added to their products sold in middle-to lower-income countries. It was found that 93% of their baby cereals sold in Africa, Asia and Latin America had higher sugar content than the same product sold in other regions. Adding excess sugar to baby food increases the baby’s dependence on sweet substances and increases obesity risk. Through Nestle’s intense marketing of baby formula, lower-income countries have also seen decreased lactation in nursing mothers, which creates a heavy reliance on that same formula. This can be especially devastating in regions without clean water access, as contaminated water can easily kill a baby. These and similar actions by Nestlé have contributed to up to 212,000 excess infant deaths per year.
The most obvious solution is to advocate for stronger regulations in countries vulnerable to food colonialism, including introducing tariffs that protect local farmers and food and water resources. At a micro level, initiatives like the African Union’s food sovereignty frameworks aim to cultivate food self-sufficiency to protect citizens, but these have not been widely implemented. Additionally, school feeding programs that promote local produce could cultivate a greater appetite for local produce.
The “Carrot” of Sales Isn’t Enough. We Need a Stronger, Global “Stick”
However, to tackle the root cause of food colonialism on a global scale, communities need to be protected against those financial predators that only have their own best interests at heart. Lower-income nations disproportionately face labour exploitation, tax evasion, and profit repatriation from multinational corporations, which crowds out local businesses and depresses economies. Both the large organisations and the wealthier nations that birth them need to take responsibility for standardising the quality of products, regardless of market.
Access to adequate nutrition and safe water is more than a desire. It is a recognised human right. Governments are obligated to ensure that food is not only physically available, but also affordable, in order for people to satisfy their dietary needs and live dignified lives devoid of hunger.
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