The food and nutrition agenda has been promoted comprehensively in association with all of the other actions of the unified health system, and more broadly with the Intersectoral Field of Food and Nutrition Security (SAN). This campaign needs democratic spaces to develop, incorporate the demands and priorities of Brazilian society, and become empowered as State policy. The National Food and Nutrition Security System (SISAN) is responsible for integrating different sectors, levels of government, programs and actions, guaranteeing the right of all people to regular and permanent access to food in sufficient quantity and quality. At this historic moment, it is a major challenge to maintain and ensure the future of the social protection network that underpinned this agenda¹1. Jaime PC, Delmuè DCC, Campello T, Silva DO, Santos LMP. Um olhar sobre a agenda de alimentação e nutrição nos trinta anos do Sistema Único de Saúde. Cien Saude Colet 2018; 23(6):1829-1836..

This issue of Revista de Ciência e Saúde Coletiva presents an overview of the various areas that integrate or comprise the agenda: food and nutritional surveillance, promotion of adequate and healthy food, and prevention and control of nutritional ailments and their interfaces²2. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Política Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição. Brasília: MS; 2012..

The analysis of food and nutritional insecurity (IAN) in households with adolescents in the Brazilian Legal Amazon Region, reveals the effect of food availability and consumption, influenced by the size and composition of families. The authors cite the low consumption of vegetables, fruits and legumes; they highlight the paradox of the abundant supply and advertising of ultra-processed foods (rich in sugar, salt and fat) instead of the choice of the traditional staples of the Brazilian diet (rice, beans, sweet potatoes, manioc, fruit, meat and fish).

The review of actions for the Promotion of Adequate and Healthy Food (PAAS) in the control of childhood obesity and its different conditioning factors, based on the policies of the last 15 years, reveals different conceptions regarding the problem. PAAS clashes with the interests and disputes of commercial corporations of processed food and agribusiness. It is common knowledge that strategies for preventing and tackling obesity, for example, mandatorily include dimensions that consider the nutritional quality of industrialized foods, advertising, labeling and sustainability. It is necessary to be aligned with the guidelines of the Food Guide for the Brazilian population that constitutes an instrument of health education³3. Monteiro CA, Cannon G, Moubarac JC, Martins AP, Martins CA, Garzillo J, Canella DS, Baraldi LG, Barciotte M, Louzada ML, Levy RB, Claro RM, Jaime PC. Dietary guidelines to nourish humanity and the planet in the twenty-first century. A bluepront from Brazil. Public Health Nutr 2015; 18(130):2311-2322.. In the evaluation of the global quality of the diet of children, inadequacy prevails, mainly regarding the low consumption of vegetables, fruit and meat, the high intake of saturated fat, the lack of variety and the presence of high sodium and additive content.

The control of nutritional disorders is present in the debate about the inadequate intake of important nutrients by the elderly; in the automation of food surveys through a mobile application to collect information about dietary practices of diabetic patients; and the use of an instrument to evaluate the knowledge of adult women about food combinations.

The presence and performance of the nutritionist as a leader appears positively associated with food security in restaurants; to the clarification of doubts about the new classification of food for students, professionals and the population in general; and in the complaint regarding the scant availability of information on the amount of lactose on industrialized food labels.

The Brazilian School Food Program was contemplated regarding the challenge of ensuring that children receive nutrients in adequate amounts; the investment of municipalities in the purchase of food for the program and its approximation with family agricultural production; the hygienic and sanitary conditions of the School Food and Nutrition Units (UANE); and the need for corrective measures to achieve Best Practices.

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