The School of Engineering and Sciences at Tecnologico de Monterrey has unveiled its Food Security and Nutrition Flagship Project in Mexico, an applied research initiative aimed at transforming the country’s food and nutrition landscape.

Food security is defined as the condition in which all individuals have physical, social, and economic access at all times to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead an active and healthy life. 

This concept is based on six fundamental dimensions: availability, which ensures a sufficient supply of food through production, storage, and distribution; access, which guarantees that people can afford food while considering economic, social, and physical factors; and utilization, which promotes the proper use of food, including its nutritional value, access to clean water, and health conditions. 

Additionally, stability ensures that access to food remains unaffected by economic, climate, or political crises, while policy influence empowers communities to shape decisions about their food system. Lastly, sustainability ensures that food security efforts do not compromise natural resources.

Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food is a fundamental human right. However, global and national figures present a concerning reality. In 2022, 783 million people faced hunger worldwide, while 821 million were malnourished. Among children under five, 151 million suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition, and 613 million women and girls (ages 15–49) experience iron deficiency. Meanwhile, 2 billion adults suffer from obesity, reflecting a global food and nutrition crisis.

In Mexico, one in four people experiences moderate or severe food insecurity, while more than 3% of the population suffers from malnutrition, and 25% of Mexicans cannot afford a healthy diet. Since 1961, per capita food supply has increased by 30%, but this growth has been accompanied by an 800% rise in nitrogen fertilizer use and a 100% increase in irrigation water consumption, placing unprecedented pressure on ecosystems and global food security.

A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Food Insecurity: To tackle these challenges, Tecnologico de Monterrey has developed the Food Security and Nutrition Flagship Project, a multidisciplinary initiative that focuses on mitigating food insecurity and improving child nutrition in vulnerable communities. This effort encompasses the entire food production chain, from sustainable agriculture to food processing, distribution, storage, and consumption. The project aims to produce sustainable and diversified crops, livestock, and functional ingredients through innovations in agronomy, engineering, and computing. Additionally, it seeks to develop strategies that ensure more nutritious foods with a longer shelf life while optimizing natural resource use.

The initiative also addresses food waste reduction through circular economy strategies and strengthens food safety and traceability systems to guarantee product quality. Research efforts focus on making nutrition more accessible and balanced for vulnerable populations, while artificial intelligence and digital technologies are integrated into the food supply chain to improve efficiency. Moreover, the project works on shaping evidence-based public policies by engaging key stakeholders in decision-making processes.

During the project’s presentation to universities, government officials, and business leaders, Dr. Daniel Jacobo, Associate Dean of Research and Scientific Graduate Programs at Tecnologico de Monterrey, highlighted the need for public policies and legislation that promote the benefits of functional and nutraceutical foods.

“We have many developments in functional foods, but we need public policies that highlight their health benefits, for example, through nutritional labeling. The only way to bring our scientific advances to people is by working closely with governments and companies. That way, we can ensure real impact and contribute to transforming this reality,” he stated.

Similarly, Dr. Cristina Chuck, Leader of the Food Security and Health Research Cluster, underscored the importance of aligning research efforts with government and business initiatives. She emphasized that legislation and economic incentives can drive behavioral change in society, influencing purchasing decisions and promoting healthier food choices.

“We need to rethink how food is distributed globally—should we consume what is available or what we truly need? If we could ensure that food choices align with local environments and nutritional needs, we would be taking a significant step toward improving food security,” she remarked.

Part of a Broader Strategy: This initiative aligns with the new applied science research strategy of the School of Engineering and Sciences, which focuses on three key areas. The health research cluster explores biotechnology, nanotechnology, informatics, and electronics applications for human health. Meanwhile, the climate and sustainability cluster addresses environmental challenges such as climate change and the transition to renewable energy. Finally, the industrial transformation cluster integrates digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovative manufacturing processes to optimize supply chains.

Robust infrastructure and global partnerships to implement this project: Tecnológico de Monterrey has established a strong research infrastructure across multiple campuses. In Monterrey, it houses the Biotechnology Center and CIDPRO Food Technology Laboratories. In Querétaro, researchers work at the Bioengineering Center, CAETEC, and pilot plants, while in Guadalajara, the Climate Change Laboratory drives sustainability-focused projects. The Bioengineering Laboratory in Puebla and the Biotechnology Laboratory in Toluca further support the initiative’s objectives.

The university has also forged strategic alliances with major companies, including Bimbo, Ragasa, La Moderna, Corteva, Veinte Soles, PepsiCo, and Heinz, as well as international organizations like the Global Alliance for Food Security and the FAO.

The project’s impact is already evident. Currently, a team of 33 principal researchers, 17 affiliated researchers, and eight postdoctoral fellows are driving its progress, with the participation of 105 graduate students. The project has also yielded more than 100 high-impact (Q1/Q2) scientific publications in the past year and has submitted funding proposals to the Danone Institute, Valent Agricultural Inputs, and the Conservation, Food & Health Foundation.

For more information about the Flagship Food Security and Nutrition Project, visit:

https://live.tec.mx/videos/food-security-symposium

About Tecnologico de Monterrey

Tecnologico de Monterrey (http://www.tec.mx) is a private, nonprofit university recognized for its academic excellence, educational innovation, and global vision. Founded in 1943, it operates in 33 cities across 20 Mexican states, with a student body of 62,000 undergraduates and graduates and over 27,000 high school students.

Accredited by SACSCOC since 1950, the university ranks 184th in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and 4th in Latin America according to THE (Times Higher Education) Latin America University Rankings. Tecnologico de Monterrey is also recognized for its global employability and entrepreneurship programs and is a member of international networks such as APRU, U21, and WUN.

About the School of Engineering and Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey 

The School of Engineering and Sciences (EIC) at Tecnológico de Monterrey is a leading institution in engineering and scientific education in Mexico and Latin America. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and industry collaboration, the EIC prepares students to tackle 21st-century challenges.

Its research is structured around three key areas: health, climate and sustainability, and industrial transformation, with additional strategic initiatives focusing on artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and semiconductors.

For more information, visit https://eic.tec.mx/en.