Food industry key to sustainable food supply

Feeding a growing global population in a sustainable manner requires urgent action from policymakers and food industries. This is according to research by Wageningen University & Research, which emphasizes that they hold the key to enabling healthy food within the planet's limits.

Fundamental changes in our food systems are essential to achieve feeding 9 to 10 billion people. However, a lack of consensus and coordination between society, government, science and the food industry hinders the transition to healthy and ecologically sustainable diets.

Local factors

In the recent publication "Towards healthy and sustainable diets for the 21st century: importance of social-cultural and economic considerations" in PNAS, researchers show that transition strategies must take into account local factors such as food prices, taste and sensory aspects. In addition, governments and food companies must be accountable to society.

The study also emphasizes that a broader perspective is needed, integrating sociocultural and economic aspects in the pursuit of environmental sustainability and health. Local solutions need to be identified and effective practices scaled up.

Policy makers and large private companies have a crucial role to play by using their power to transform food production, processing and distribution. Only then can sustainable choices be made widely available and affordable. It is time for decisive action because promises alone are not enough.

Wur.nl