FAO promotes food innovation and investment to combat global hunger

To mark World Food Day under the theme ‘Innovate today to nourish tomorrow’, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has emphasized the need for innovation and investment to combat global hunger. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyun noted that approximately 673 million people worldwide suffer from hunger, while 2.6 billion cannot afford a healthy diet due to climate change, conflict, and inequality.

At the World Food Forum, 38 countries and five regional initiatives presented agrifood investment opportunities totaling a record $20.16 billion. Latin America and the Caribbean specifically proposed $2.292 billion in projects to improve productivity and rural resilience.

In Chile, these global trends toward nutritional innovation are reflected in the yogurt industry. Data from the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa) shows that between January and November 2025, Chilean plants produced over 206 million liters of yogurt. The product has evolved significantly from its 2006 profile; whereas sugar was once a central ingredient, modern consumer demand has driven the industry toward lower sugar content, higher protein, probiotics, lactose-free options, and now, the addition of collagen.