Even though Europe has plenty of food, millions of people aren’t getting enough essential vitamins and minerals—a problem called “hidden hunger.” Unlike regular hunger where people don’t have enough food, hidden hunger means people eat enough calories but miss critical nutrients like iron, vitamin D, and zinc. This affects children’s brain development, weakens older adults’ bones, and increases disease risk. A new review of European policies shows that countries are handling this problem very differently, with some using food fortification (adding nutrients to everyday foods) and others doing little. Experts say Europe needs stronger, more consistent strategies to fix this widespread but often invisible health problem.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Why so many Europeans lack important vitamins and minerals (hidden hunger), and whether current government policies are working to fix the problem
- Who participated: This wasn’t a study of people—it was a review of existing research and government policies across Europe, focusing on vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, elderly people, and low-income families
- Key finding: Hidden hunger affects millions of Europeans across all income levels, but countries have very different approaches to solving it. Some use food fortification while others have no clear strategy, creating an uneven patchwork of protection
- What it means for you: If you live in Europe, your access to fortified foods and nutrition support may depend heavily on which country you live in. Families with lower incomes and people in northern regions (with less sunlight) face higher risks of nutrient deficiencies
The Research Details
This was a policy review, not a traditional research study. Experts examined existing scientific evidence, government policies, and nutrition programs across Europe to understand the hidden hunger problem. They looked at what causes nutrient deficiencies (like poverty, geography, and age), reviewed how different European countries are currently trying to address the issue, and identified gaps in these efforts.
The researchers focused on “hidden hunger”—a situation where people have enough food to eat but lack specific vitamins and minerals their bodies need. They examined who is most affected (children, pregnant women, elderly people, and poor families), why they’re affected, and what policies exist to help them.
This type of review is valuable because it pulls together information from many sources and countries to see the bigger picture. Instead of testing one specific idea, it asks: “What do we already know about this problem, and what are governments doing about it?”
Policy reviews are important because hidden hunger is often invisible—people look healthy but their bodies are missing crucial nutrients. By examining policies across Europe, researchers can identify which approaches work best and which countries are leaving people unprotected. This helps governments create better strategies.
This review was funded by the European Union and published in a respected nutrition journal. The researchers examined existing scientific evidence and actual government policies, making it a reliable overview of the current situation. However, because policies change frequently and vary greatly by country, some information may become outdated quickly. The review identifies real gaps in data and policy implementation, which strengthens its credibility.
What the Results Show
The review found that hidden hunger is a serious but under-recognized problem across Europe. Certain groups face much higher risks: children (affecting brain development), women of childbearing age (affecting pregnancy outcomes), elderly people (affecting bone health and immunity), people living in poverty, and those living in northern regions with less sunlight (affecting vitamin D production).
European countries use very different approaches to address this problem. Some countries have mandatory food fortification programs (adding nutrients to bread, milk, or salt), while others rely on voluntary programs where food companies choose whether to fortify. This creates major inconsistencies—a child in one country might get fortified foods while a child in a neighboring country doesn’t.
The review identified that while the European Union has created guidelines for food fortification, these guidelines are flexible and allow countries to make their own choices. This flexibility was meant to respect different cultures and food traditions, but it has resulted in fragmented, unequal protection across Europe. Some countries have strong nutrition education programs and social support, while others have minimal efforts.
The review also found that data about hidden hunger in Europe is incomplete and inconsistent. Different countries measure nutrient deficiencies differently, making it hard to compare the real scope of the problem. Additionally, the review identified that vulnerable populations often face multiple overlapping risks—for example, an elderly person living in poverty in a northern country faces compounded risks from age, income, and geography. The review emphasizes that hidden hunger contributes to non-communicable diseases (like heart disease and diabetes) and increases healthcare costs, making it an economic issue as well as a health issue.
Previous research has documented hidden hunger in developing countries, but this review highlights that it’s also a significant problem in wealthy Europe. While earlier studies focused on individual nutrients or specific countries, this comprehensive review shows the problem is widespread and systemic. It confirms what smaller studies suggested: that hidden hunger persists even in countries with food abundance, and that policy fragmentation is a major barrier to solving it.
This review examined policies and existing research rather than conducting new studies with people, so it can’t prove cause-and-effect relationships. The data available varies greatly between countries—some have detailed nutrition surveys while others have minimal information. Because policies change frequently, some information may already be outdated. The review also notes that comprehensive data on hidden hunger across all of Europe is lacking, making it difficult to know the true scope of the problem.
The Bottom Line
Based on this review, experts recommend that European countries should: (1) Implement mandatory food fortification programs rather than voluntary ones to ensure consistent protection, (2) Invest in nutrition education so people understand which foods provide essential nutrients, (3) Strengthen social protection programs for vulnerable groups, and (4) Collect better data to track progress. These recommendations have moderate to strong support from existing evidence, though implementation varies by country.
Everyone in Europe should care about this issue, but especially: parents of young children (whose brain development depends on proper nutrition), pregnant women and women planning pregnancy, elderly people, people with lower incomes, and those living in northern regions. Healthcare providers, policymakers, and food companies also play important roles in addressing hidden hunger. People in countries with strong fortification programs may be less affected, but the review suggests even these countries have gaps.
Fixing hidden hunger requires long-term commitment. Improving nutrition through fortification and education typically shows benefits within months to years for individual health markers (like blood nutrient levels), but preventing diseases linked to deficiencies takes years or decades. Policy changes may take 1-3 years to implement fully, with measurable population-level improvements appearing within 3-5 years.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily intake of nutrient-rich foods by logging servings of: leafy greens (iron, folate), dairy or fortified plant-based alternatives (calcium, vitamin D), eggs (choline, selenium), and foods with added fortification. Set a goal of 5+ servings daily and monitor weekly patterns.
- Use the app to identify which fortified foods are available in your region and create a shopping list prioritizing them. Set reminders to include one fortified food at each meal. If you’re in a vulnerable group (pregnant, elderly, low-income), use the app to track whether you’re meeting minimum nutrient targets and share results with your healthcare provider.
- Monthly review of nutrient intake patterns; quarterly check-ins with healthcare provider to discuss blood work results; annual assessment of whether dietary changes have improved energy levels, immunity, or other health markers. Use the app to identify seasonal gaps (like vitamin D in winter months) and adjust fortified food intake accordingly.
This review examines policy and existing research rather than providing personalized medical advice. If you suspect you or a family member has a nutrient deficiency, consult with a healthcare provider for proper testing and treatment. This information is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Nutritional needs vary by age, health status, and individual circumstances—speak with a registered dietitian for personalized recommendations. While this review identifies important public health issues, individual dietary changes should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals.