The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Grace Magembe, has urged nutrition experts in Tanzania to take the lead in providing accurate and standardized nutrition education to the public.
She emphasized the importance of reaching key groups, including journalists, mothers, and fathers, to ensure communities fully benefit from professional guidance.
Dr. Magembe made the remarks today, February 26, 2026, while officially opening the Fourth Annual Conference of the Tanzania Nutrition Experts Association 2026 at Mabeyo Hall in Dodoma.
“Many people on social media, without formal nutrition training, share information daily. This can be misleading, and we cannot leave it unchecked,” Dr. Magembe said.
She stressed the need for society to receive correct messages about nutrition—what foods are appropriate, when they should be eaten, and which foods should be avoided at certain times. Such knowledge, she said, is critical in building a healthier nation.
Dr. Magembe also encouraged nutrition professionals to conduct research to identify challenges in different regions and understand why nutritional issues vary across the country.
“No field in the health sector can function effectively without research. We must investigate the root causes of problems. For example, why do some regions with high food production still experience stunting?” she asked.
In addition, she called on communities to plant fruit trees and establish vegetable gardens at homes and health facilities nationwide, highlighting the role of locally grown foods in improving nutrition and overall health.