"Socioeconomically disadvantaged people are disproportionately affected by micronutrient deficiencies," said Dr. Katerina Palascha, senior research manager at EUFIC and lead author of the study. "However, very few studies in Europe have explored the reasons behind this."

"Our findings show that multiple barriers interact to compromise access to and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods, particularly when limited resources restrict people's ability to act on their preferences for fresh, minimally processed or culturally appropriate foods," she added.

Do different foods face different obstacles?

Yes, according to the participants. Affordability, availability, accessibility and acceptability problems surfaced most strongly for fruit, vegetables, fish and meat. That pattern suggests disadvantaged groups may confront distinct obstacles depending on which foods they would need to assemble a varied, nutrient-rich diet.

Attitudes toward sources of micronutrients also varied. Participants generally preferred ordinary foods, held predominantly negative views on fortified products, and expressed mixed opinions about supplements.

The two countries showed different emphases. In Italy, participants pointed to problems with charitable food assistance itself: limited availability, poor accessibility and low perceived food quality, plus restricted access to professional advice about micronutrients. In Poland, participants instead highlighted the struggle to find affordable, high-quality foods in ordinary shops and to make sense of nutrition information.

What extra challenges did refugees face?

For refugees and asylum seekers, displacement added another layer. They reported limited financial and food assistance, restrictions on using kitchens in temporary housing, food supplies that ignored cultural preferences, unfamiliar health care systems, and mental health strain linked to displacement and war.

What are the study's limits?

The research is qualitative and preliminary. It did not measure anyone's dietary intake or micronutrient status, so it cannot establish whether individual participants actually had inadequate intakes or deficiencies. What it identifies are perceived barriers — conditions that may raise vulnerability to poor micronutrient intake, not confirmed cases of it.

What should change?

The findings argue against relying on information campaigns alone, which the researchers say are unlikely to remove barriers rooted in cost, infrastructure and culture. Instead, they call for context-sensitive responses spanning food assistance, social protection, public health, organizational food provision and nutrition communication.

The study appears as part of the Zero Hidden Hunger EU project, which targets micronutrient deficiencies across Europe — a problem that, as this research shows, begins long before food reaches the plate.