The barriers were economic, physical, temporal, informational, social, cultural and organisational. High food prices and competing household expenses limited choice and variety, while transport, work schedules, cooking and storage restrictions, culturally incompatible provision and limited access to professional guidance added further constraints.

Participants generally preferred to obtain micronutrients through food, held mostly negative attitudes towards fortified foods and had divergent views on food supplements. The authors note that the study did not assess dietary intake or micronutrient status. A survey of around 1,500 food assistance beneficiaries and refugees in Italy, Poland and Hungary is planned for 2026.

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