The International Monetary Fund is worried about rising food prices, especially as they affect the poor and most vulnerable people, a spokeswoman said Thursday. "We're extremely concerned about rising food prices in particular because of their impact on the poorest and most vulnerable wherever they are, particularly in the low-income countries but not only there," fund spokeswoman Caroline Atkinson said at a news briefing.
Asked how governments should address soaring food prices, which the United Nations reported Thursday at record highs, Atkinson stressed the importance of "well-targeted" ways of supporting those most at risk. "It's important that people who are most vulnerable should be protected rather than products subsidized," she said.