IUNS 80th Anniversary

Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS – Task Forces in Focus

Welcome back to the IUNS 80th anniversary series, “Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS”.

Task Forces in Focus: How IUNS Tackles Emerging Nutrition Challenges 

One of the distinctive ways the IUNS advances nutrition science is through its Task Forces. Bringing together experts from different countries and disciplines, these groups provide a platform for international collaboration on emerging or under-addressed nutrition challenges. By connecting researchers, clinicians, educators and practitioners, Task Forces help translate scientific knowledge into practical action while strengthening global research networks. 

Over the past eight decades, IUNS Task Forces have addressed a wide range of topics reflecting the changing priorities of nutrition science. Some have focused on disease prevention and treatment, others on sustainable food systems, Indigenous knowledge, nutrition capacity development or new scientific methodologies. While it is not possible to highlight every Task Force in this story, the examples below illustrate the breadth of approaches through which IUNS supports global nutrition research and collaboration.  

Some of the Task Forces highlighted below have now completed their formal IUNS mandate. Several continue their work independently, reflecting how IUNS‑initiated collaborations often evolve into long‑standing scientific networks. 

Building international research networks 

Some Task Forces create global scientific communities around emerging areas of nutrition research. 

The International Collaboration on Nutrition in relation to Cancer (ICONIC) Task Force is one such example. ICONIC brings together researchers, clinicians, dietitians and public health professionals working at the intersection of nutrition and cancer. Building on earlier international collaborations, ICONIC aims to strengthen research, education and professional networks across countries. 

Its activities have included supporting nutrition education and research capacity in Africa and other resource-limited settings, encouraging collaboration between oncology and nutrition professionals, and promoting the integration of nutrition throughout the cancer care pathway from prevention and treatment to survivorship. Through workshops, collaborative projects and international partnerships, ICONIC demonstrates how coordinated scientific networks can accelerate progress in an increasingly important area of health.  

Originally established as an IUNS Task Force, ICONIC continues its collaborative work independently. 

Connecting science with culture and traditional knowledge

Nutrition science is strengthened not only by laboratory research, but also by understanding how people eat within their cultural and environmental contexts. 

The Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems and Nutrition Task Force has worked to document and promote the nutritional value of traditional food systems around the world. Its work highlights the importance of biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge and locally adapted food practices in supporting healthy and sustainable diets. 

The Task Force has produced a series of publications documenting diverse Indigenous food systems across different regions, organised international symposia and webinars, and developed policy briefs that encourage governments and international organisations to recognise Indigenous food systems within nutrition and food policies. In doing so, it demonstrates how scientific research and traditional knowledge can complement one another in addressing contemporary nutrition challenges. 

Although no longer an active IUNS Task Force, the Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems group has continued publishing and convening internationally. 

Developing new approaches for emerging challenges 

As nutrition science evolves, so too do the questions researchers seek to answer. 

The Sustainable Diets Task Force explores how dietary recommendations can support both human and planetary health. Its work recognises that healthy diets should also consider environmental sustainability, cultural acceptability and local food systems. By developing indicators and methodological approaches, the Task Force contributes to a growing evidence base for integrating sustainability into nutrition research and policy. 

The Sustainable Diets Task Force completed its formal IUNS term but its methodological work remains influential.

Innovation also extends to how nutrition outcomes are measured. The Towards a Multidimensional Index of Child Growth Task Force is developing broader ways to understand children’s growth and development. Rather than relying solely on traditional anthropometric indicators, the initiative explores additional dimensions of child well-being, participation and equity. This work reflects the evolving understanding that child growth is influenced by multiple biological, social and environmental factors.  

The Multidimensional Index of Child Growth initiative began as an IUNS Task Force and continues to develop its framework beyond the formal Task Force period. 

A collaborative model for advancing nutrition science 

Although each Task Force has its own objectives, they share a common purpose: bringing together expertise from different countries and disciplines to address complex nutrition challenges that no single institution or nation can solve alone. 

Some Task Forces generate new scientific evidence. Others strengthen research capacity, develop methodologies, facilitate international partnerships or help translate knowledge into practice. Together, they demonstratehow IUNS serves as a global convener of nutrition science. 

The examples highlighted here represent only a small selection of the many Task Forces that have contributed to the work of IUNS over the years. They include both current Task Forces and former groups whose collaborations have continued beyond their formal IUNS mandate. This ongoing activity reflects the Union’s role in catalysing scientific networks that often persist long after IUNS funding ends. Collectively, current and former Task Forces demonstrate IUNS’s enduring commitment to international scientific collaboration and its ability to respond to emerging nutrition priorities as they evolve. 

As global nutrition challenges become increasingly interconnected, this collaborative model remains as important today as it was when IUNS was established nearly 80 years ago. 

To learn more about current and past IUNS Task Forces, visit the IUNS website. 

IUNS President Congratulates ASN on Nutrition 2026

The International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) is pleased to congratulate the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) on Nutrition 2026, the Society’s flagship annual meeting taking place in National Harbor, Maryland, USA.

To mark the occasion, Professor Hyun-Sook Kim, President of IUNS, shared a video message congratulating Dr Naïma Moustaïd-Moussa, ASN President, and the organising committee for delivering an outstanding scientific programme that brings together researchers, clinicians, educators, and policymakers from around the world. In her message, Professor Kim also reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between IUNS and ASN, highlighting their shared commitment to advancing nutritional science globally.

Professor Kim noted that 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of IUNS, celebrating eight decades of international collaboration in nutrition science. She recognised the invaluable contributions of IUNS’ 85 Adhering Bodies and Regional Affiliated Bodies, whose collective efforts continue to advance the Union’s mission of promoting excellence in nutritional science and fostering global knowledge exchange.

Reflecting on the enduring relationship between IUNS and ASN, Professor Kim emphasised the importance of international collaboration in addressing global nutrition challenges, including undernutrition, obesity, food security, and the development of sustainable food systems.

“Although we come from different countries and cultures, we are united by a common purpose: improving quality of life through nutritional science.”

Professor Kim concluded by encouraging participants to use Nutrition 2026 as an opportunity to inspire new scientific discoveries, strengthen international partnerships, and reaffirm a shared commitment to advancing nutrition research for the benefit of people worldwide.

IUNS congratulates ASN on Nutrition 2026 and looks forward to continuing its close collaboration in advancing nutrition science and supporting the next generation of nutrition researchers worldwide.

Celebrating 80 Years of IUNS: Applications Open Now for the Inaugural Jo Hautvast Nutrition Leadership Award

As part of the celebrations marking the 80th Anniversary of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), IUNS is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural IUNS Jo Hautvast Nutrition Leadership Award, with applications opening from today (2 July 2026).

Established in honour of Professor Jo Hautvast, the new award recognises individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the advancement of nutrition science and its application to improve health and well-being. The award reflects IUNS’s enduring commitment to fostering excellence and supporting leaders who are shaping the future of nutrition worldwide.

The introduction of this prestigious award is one of the initiatives commemorating 80 years of IUNS leadership in promoting nutrition science and international collaboration. Researchers, educators, policymakers, and professionals whose work has had a substantial impact at the national, regional, or global level are encouraged to apply.

Detailed information on eligibility criteria, requirements, and the selection process is available here.

For any questions regarding the award or the application process, please contact the IUNS Office at office@iuns.org.

Applications will be accepted through the online application only. Submissions by email or other means will not be considered.

Apply Now

IUNS–FANUS Joint Webinar 2026 Recordings Now Available

We are pleased to announce that the recordings of the IUNS–FANUS Joint Webinar 2026, held on 2–3 June 2026, are now available to watch on the IUNS website.

The webinar series brought together researchers, academics, healthcare professionals, and students from around the world to explore current topics in nutrition science through a programme of expert presentations and discussions.

Whether you joined us live and would like to revisit the sessions, or were unable to attend every presentation, you can now access the full webinar recordings at your convenience.

Watch the webinar recordings here

IUNS extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, moderators, participants, and FANUS for their valuable contributions and support in making this webinar a success.

We hope you enjoy the recordings and look forward to welcoming you to future IUNS events.

Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS – Turning Science into Global Action

Welcome back to the IUNS 80th anniversary series, “Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS”.

Addressing today’s nutrition challenges requires more than scientific discovery alone. Turning evidence into meaningful action demands collaboration across countries, disciplines, and sectors. The IUNS Task Forces are one of the organisation’s key mechanisms for translating nutrition science into coordinated global action. 

Task Forces are established to address nutrition-related issues that require international cooperation and collective expertise. Their focus is intentionally forward-looking, concentrating on current and emerging challenges that may be under-recognised, insufficiently addressed, or too complex to be tackled by any single institution, discipline, or country alone. Through these collaborative groups, IUNS helps advance knowledge, foster partnerships, and support practical solutions to pressing nutrition concerns. 

Purpose and Structure 

Task Forces are selected at the beginning of each IUNS Council term and may operate for up to four years. This structure provides a defined period during which each group can identifypriorities, build collaborations, undertake activities, and develop outputs that contribute to nutrition science, policy, and practice. 

The current portfolio of Task Forces reflects the diversity and complexity of contemporary nutrition challenges. Areas of focus include conflict-related food and nutrition insecurity, ultra-processed foods, Indigenous peoples’ food sovereignty and wellbeing, territorial diets, and nutrition research priorities in Asia. 

Learn more about IUNS Task Forces 2025 – 2029

Breadth and Legacy

While current Task Forces focus on emerging priorities, the Task Force archive demonstrates the breadth of issues that have been addressed across previous Council terms. 

Over the years, Task Forces have examined topics including dietary quality, evidence-based nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, technology and nutrition, malnutrition prevention and control, nutrition transition, long-term health, nutrition translation, sustainable diets, Indigenous peoples’ food systems, dietary fat quality, micronutrient interventions, child growth and development, and international food data systems. 

Together, these activities reflect the broad scope of nutrition science and its connections with health, food systems, culture, sustainability, equity, and public policy. They also illustrate the IUNS mission to advance nutrition science, research, and development through international cooperation and to encourage communication and collaboration among nutrition scientists worldwide. 
 

Impact and Looking Ahead 

As nutrition challenges become increasingly interconnected with issues such as conflict, climate change, food systems transformation, urbanisation, and growing health inequities, international collaboration has never been more important. 

Task Forces provide a flexible mechanism for identifying emerging priorities, strengthening global partnerships, and generating knowledge that can inform research, policy, and practice. By bringing together expertise from different regions and disciplines, they help ensure that nutrition science remains responsive to evolving global needs and relevant across diverse contexts. 

Through this work, IUNS Task Forces contribute to healthier populations, more resilient food systems, and a more sustainable and equitable future. 

How do IUNS Task Forces translate collaboration into action? In next month’s feature, Task Forces in Focus — How IUNS Tackles Emerging Nutrition Challenges, we will take a closer look at selected Task Forces and their activities, illustrating how these expert groups contribute to addressing some of the most pressing nutrition challenges facing communities around the world today. 

Strengthening Global-African Collaboration: Reflections on the IUNS-FANUS Joint Webinar 2026

Article written by Dr Robert Fungo, current President of the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS)

The IUNS-FANUS Joint Webinar 2026 marked a significant milestone in fostering meaningful scientific exchange between the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS). Held over two days on 2–3 June 2026, the event attracted overwhelming interest, with registration closing early due to high demand. It built directly on the success of the inaugural regional webinar in March 2025, responding to feedback from IUNS Adhering Bodies calling for deeper, more substantive engagement across regions and disciplines.

The planning process exemplified responsive and participatory collaboration. IUNS and FANUS leadership drew on insights from previous events and member societies to shape the programme. A registration process invited participant input on topics, allowing the community to help prioritise emerging issues. This survey-driven approach ensured relevance, blending global perspectives with Africa-centered solutions. Under my leadership at FANUS and IUNS representatives, the team curated a balanced agenda that moved seamlessly from problem analysis to evidence-based action. Moderators, including Dr. Fungo, Dr. Habiba Hassan-Wassef, and Prof. Francis Bruno Zotor, played a pivotal role in facilitating dynamic discussions.

Day 1 focused on “Understanding the Nutrition Challenge,” examining the evolving burden of malnutrition in all its forms-micronutrient deficiencies, obesity, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs)-within shifting food environments. Speakers such as IUNS President Prof. Hyun-Sook Kim, Dr. Saskia Osendarp (Micronutrient Forum), Dr. Yunhee Kang, and Tunisian specialists Prof. Henda Jamoussi and Dr. Rym Ben Othman shared cutting-edge evidence on determinants, dietary transitions, and policy implications. Participants gained nuanced insights into how global trends intersect with local African realities.

Day 2 shifted to “Evidence for Actions to Address the Problems,” emphasising translation into practice. Sessions covered ultra-processed foods and food systems transformation (addressed by Prof. Amos Laar and Prof. Jacques Delarue), nutrition and cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (addressed by Prof. Alan Jackson), mycotoxin food safety risks (addressed by Prof. Sheila Okoth and Dr. Lindy Joy Rose), and the design and scaling of school feeding programmes, featuring experts like Kwadzanai Nyanungo and Dr. Jacqueline Kung’u. Discussions highlighted practical innovations, partnerships (including contributions from Mr Francois Stepman), and the role of resilient systems in sustainable development.

One of the webinar’s greatest strengths was its emphasis on interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder dialogue. Attendees from researchers and academics to policymakers and practitioners, engaged actively through Q&A sessions, fostering connections that extend beyond the event. My closing remarks on Day 2 underscored the importance of translating evidence into tangible improvements in nutrition outcomes across Africa, reinforcing FANUS’s commitment to capacity building and leadership.

The process from idea gathering to delivery revealed key lessons: community input via surveys enhances ownership; balanced global-African speaker representation enriches perspectives; and structured progression from analysis to action sustains engagement. Challenges such as high demand and time-zone coordination were managed effectively through accessible virtual formats. Overall, the IUNS-FANUS webinar demonstrated the power of partnership in advancing nutrition science. It not only disseminated knowledge but also inspired collaborative action toward resilient health systems. As participants carry forward these insights, the event stands as a model for future regional initiatives, strengthening the global nutrition community’s ability to address pressing challenges with context-specific African solutions.

NUTRITION WITHOUT BORDERS: 80 YEARS OF IUNS – Then and Now: How Global Nutrition Challenges Have Changed

Welcome back to the IUNS 80th anniversary series, “Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS”.

From Scarcity to Complexity: Global Nutrition Challenges Over 80 Years

When IUNS was founded in 1946, global nutrition challenges were largely defined by scarcity: widespread deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, and protein affected millions. Today, the picture is more complex. While deficiencies remain in some regions, many countries now face the double burden of malnutrition — undernutrition alongside overweight, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and diet-related chronic diseases. Climate change, urbanisation, and global food systems have added new layers of complexity. Understanding how these challenges have evolved illuminates why international scientific collaboration has never been more critical. 

In the post-war period, nutrition science was still young and rapidly developing. The discovery and isolation of vitamins was ongoing, our understanding of deficiency diseases were being scientifically explained. This emerging scientific field was being being applied directly on the major health problems of the day. The focus was on preventing and correcting deficiencies. Vitamin A, iodine, iron, and protein-energy malnutrition were the primary concerns. National governments and international agencies worked to improve food supply, fortify staples, and educate communities. This work saved lives and laid the foundation for modern public health nutrition. 

Over time, as food availability increased and lifestyles changed, new challenges emerged. Nutrition science itself continued to expand rapidly, moving beyond individual nutrient identification to understanding more about the complex relationships between diet andlong-term health. Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and diet-related cancersbecame pressing public health concerns, even in countries still grappling with undernutrition. At the same time, awareness of food system sustainability, environmental impact, and cultural dietary patterns added further layers of complexity to nutrition science. 

IUNS’s Evolving Role 
IUNS adapted to these shifting challenges by expanding its scientific scope and convening experts to tackle emerging issues. Task forces, international conferences, and collaborative research projects addressed both deficiency diseases and chronic conditions. The union emphasised capacity building, equity, and knowledge sharing, ensuring that scientists in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) could participatefully in global nutrition research. 

By comparing “then and now,” it is clear that nutrition challenges have transformed from problems of scarcity to problems of complexity, requiring integrated, interdisciplinary approaches and international cooperation. 

The evolution of nutrition challenges underscores why organisations like IUNS remain essential. What began as a mission to address post-war deficiencies has grown into a global platform tackling multifaceted problems, from obesity to climate-sensitive food systems. By convening scientists and fostering collaboration, IUNS helps the global community respond to both old and new nutrition challenges, which remains true to its vision of improving human health worldwide. 

Registration full – thanks for your support | IUNS–FANUS Joint Webinar (2–3 June 2026)

The International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), in partnership with the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS), will convene the second webinar in its regional series on 2–3 June 2026.

Registration is now full. Thank you for your interest and support.

Designed in response to Adhering Bodies’ call for more substantive scientific exchange, this series provides a platform for dialogue across regions and disciplines. Following the first webinar in March 2025, the upcoming session will address the theme: “Building Resilient Nutrition and Health Systems: Global Challenges and African Solutions”.

The programme is structured to move from analysis to application. Day one will examine the evolving burden and determinants of malnutrition in all its forms, including micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases within changing food environments. Day two will focus on translating evidence into action, with sessions covering ultra-processed foods and food systems transformation, nutrition and cancer in LMICs, food safety challenges such as mycotoxins, and the design and scaling of school feeding programmes in African contexts.

This webinar is particularly relevant for researchers, academics, and practitioners seeking to:

  • Situate their work within current global and African nutrition research priorities
  • Examine how emerging evidence is informing policy and programme design
  • Analyse implementation challenges across diverse country contexts
  • Identify opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and research partnerships
  • Engage directly with leading experts through moderated discussions and Q&A sessions

By bridging research, policy, and practice, the webinar aims to support more effective and context-responsive approaches to strengthening nutrition and health systems.

Meet the speakers

Full Programme:

Joint IUNS & FANUS Scientific Webinar ProgrammeDownload

Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS – From National Efforts to Global Collaboration: The Birth of IUNS

Welcome back to the IUNS 80th anniversary series, “Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS”.

In the previous story, we explored the post-war context that led to the creation of an international scientific community. We also posed a key question: Why did nutrition science, in particular, need an international union?

The challenges were not only global in scale, but also scientific in nature. Researchers needed to work together to standardise methods, compare findings, and share knowledge across borders.

By the mid-twentieth century, nutrition science had already made important discoveries. Scientists had identified essential vitamins and minerals, documented the health consequences of nutrient deficiencies, and begun to understand the links between diet and disease. Yet despite these advances, the field remained fragmented. 

Much of nutrition research was conducted within individual countries, often using different methods, dietary assessment tools, and laboratory techniques. Scientists studying similar questions in different parts of the world sometimes struggled to compare results. Food composition data varied between countries, recommended dietary intakes were developed independently, and scientific communication was limited by geography and language. 

At the same time, nutrition problems themselves were clearly international. Conditions such as protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, and other forms of malnutrition affected populations across continents. Addressing these challenges required more than isolated national studies — it required a coordinated scientific effort. 

Many researchers began to recognise that nutrition science would benefit from stronger global collaboration. By sharing knowledge, aligning research approaches, and learning from different regional experiences, scientists could accelerate progress in understanding human nutrition and improving public health. 

The idea of forming an international union was first discussed in 1946 at a meeting convened by the British Nutrition Society in London. Two years later, in 1948, an international provisional committee met to draft statutes and bylaws for the new union. Rather than functioning as a regulatory body or policy-making institution, IUNS was designed as a scientific network. Its purpose was to bring together national nutrition societies and research communities, creating a platform for collaboration across borders. Through this structure, scientists from different countries could exchange research findings, discuss emerging challenges, and work toward greater comparability in nutrition science. 

International collaboration was particularly important in nutrition because dietary patterns, food systems, and health challenges vary widely across regions. Understanding these differences and identifying common principles require perspectives from multiple parts of the world. An international scientific union like IUNS offered a way to connect those perspectives. 

Over time, this collaborative structure helped strengthen the global nutrition research community. Through meetings, scientific exchanges, and later through initiatives such as task forces and international congresses, researchers were able to discuss shared challenges and develop new areas of study. 

The union also provided a space where scientists from countries with different levels of resources could engage in the global scientific conversation. By connecting national societies, IUNS helped create opportunities for researchers to share expertise, build partnerships, and contribute to the advancement of nutrition science worldwide. 

Today, the field of nutrition has expanded far beyond its early focus on nutrient deficiencies. Researchers now explore complex issues such as the relationship between diet and chronic diseases, sustainable food systems, and the interactions between nutrition, environment, and health across the life course. 

Yet the fundamental principle behind the creation of IUNS remains just as relevant as it was in the 1940s: nutrition challenges are global, and advancing the science requires collaboration across borders. 

Next in our series, we will look at how global nutrition challenges have evolved over the past eight decades, from deficiency-focused research to the complex, multi-dimensional problems of today. Stay tuned! 

Join the Global Nutrition Community at NUTRITION 2026

NUTRITION 2026, the American Society for Nutrition’s (ASN’s) annual flagship meeting, will take place July 25–28 in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC. This global gathering will bring together leading scientists, researchers, clinicians, and trainees to exchange ideas, share the latest discoveries, and build collaborations that advance nutrition science worldwide. Register by May 1 to secure the best pricing.Visit nutrition.org/meeting to learn more, and bookmark the site to explore the Schedule Planner (coming soon) which will help you start planning your time at the meeting.

NUTRITION 2026 will also celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), as part of the celebration events. For eight decades, IUNS has helped advance nutrition science through international collaboration, connecting scientists, societies, and institutions across regions and disciplines. This milestone celebration will provide a special opportunity to recognize that legacy and highlight the importance of continued global partnership in addressing nutrition and health challenges.

In the lead-up to the meeting, additional opportunities to participate in the scientific program are also opening soon. Beginning April 6, ASN will welcome Late-Breaking/Rapid Science and Encore Abstract submissions for NUTRITION 2026—offering researchers a chance to share timely findings and be part of this international gathering.

Key dates for these submissions:

  • April 6: Submission opens
  • May 11: Submission deadline
  • May 25: Acceptance notifications and programming assignments sent

Visit nutrition.org/meeting/present-your-science for details, and stay tuned for additional updates as we prepare for an exciting and globally connected NUTRITION 2026.