To see people of Ethiopia free from nutrition related death and disabilities, attain natural potential and lead abundant life through provision of optimal nutritionWelcome to Food and Nutrition Society of Ethiopia
- Written by FoNSE
- Category: About Food and Nutrition Society of Ethiopia
FoNSE
The Food and Nutrition Society of Ethiopia (FoNSE) is a non-profit, membership-based professional society dedicated to advancing food and nutrition in Ethiopia. Established in January 2006, FoNSE was founded through the collaborative efforts of the Food Science and
Nutrition Research Department of the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI) to support the Ethiopian government in improving the country's nutritional status. With approximately 400 active members, FoNSE is a legally registered professional society under the Charities and Societies Proclamation No 1113/2019, reinforcing its role as a credible and structured entity in the food and nutrition sector.
FoNSE’s diverse membership comprises food science and nutrition professionals, public health specialists, medical doctors, dietitians, nurses, laboratory technicians, chemists, biologists, food technologists, agriculture professionals, and other individuals and organizations committed to advancing nutrition in Ethiopia. The society is dedicated to enhancing the professional competency of its members and supporting their career growth in the food and nutrition sector.
By leveraging the expertise of its members, FoNSE actively contributes to the implementation of Ethiopia's National Food and Nutrition Strategy, the Seqota Declaration, the Food System Transformation, and other key food and nutrition initiatives.
Since its establishment in 2006, FoNSE has undertaken various activities in collaboration with government and non-governmental organizations. Some of its major achievements include:
- Annual Conferences: Organized annual conferences that convened researchers, scientists, policymakers, and academics to facilitate knowledge exchange in food science and nutrition.
- Publications: Produced and distributed conference proceedings to members and stakeholders. Additionally, a quarterly newsletter covering timely nutrition topics has been published and disseminated to members and partners.
- Technical Contributions to National Nutrition Programs: Played a considerable role in shaping Ethiopia’s National Nutrition Programs (NNP I and II) by providing expert technical input and recommendations.
- Mid-Year Conference on National Nutrition Baseline Survey: In 2010, FoNSE, in partnership with EHNRI (now EPHI), hosted a mid-year conference to present findings from the National Nutrition Program (NNP) Baseline Survey and to discuss strategies for conducting a food consumption survey. This initiative aimed to establish a foundation for food fortification in Ethiopia.
- ANEC 2018 Hosting: Successfully hosted the African Nutrition Epidemiology Conference (ANEC) in Ethiopia, bringing together Africa Nutrition Society members from across the continent and beyond to advance regional nutrition research, policy, and practice.
- Food Safety Advocacy: Raised awareness on critical food safety issues by organizing panel discussions and engaging members and stakeholders in dialogue on pressing nutrition concerns in Ethiopia.
- Digital Presence and Knowledge Sharing: Developed a website and engaged in social media platforms to enhance communication with members and disseminated key information on food and nutrition. The website also serves as a repository for research articles and newsletters, ensuring broader accessibility.
Who could apply for membership
Any professional working in food and nutrition related fields in Ethiopia or those who are interested to contribute in these areas, industries, companies and societies dealing with food and nutrition related activities.- Institutional membership is also encouraged.
