How can science and innovation strengthen global food systems?

How can science and innovation strengthen global food systems?

Food systems – from production to consumption – are complex in nature, and require coordinated efforts at different levels. In order to improve it and make it more flexible and effective. These food systems can be conceptualized as the outcome of national and global public policy and supply chain decisions, and this includes the elements and groups that operate in these systems and influence what we eat.

Current global food systems – unfortunately! –are not sustainable, as one in nine people suffers from hunger worldwide, and this situation has been exacerbated by the Corona virus pandemic, and then the Russian war on Ukraine.

Another aspect is that the current global food systems do not prevent malnutrition. Even when food is available, there can be an exacerbation in negative health outcomes, such as high obesity rates, and other health problems related to inappropriate diets, in addition to the fact that our food today lacks sufficient nutritional elements.

Food systems have a negative impact on the environment, as they contributed about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions in the period from 1990 to 2015. These systems have also proven their fragility when exposed to disturbances – the most recent of these disturbances was the coronavirus pandemic, and then the Russian-Ukrainian war – or when faced with natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, but science and innovation are always able to They provide a way out of these crises.

First steps towards scientific innovations

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, called for holding the “Food Systems Summit” in 2021, with the aim of encouraging stakeholders to cooperate in making tangible and positive changes in global food systems, and through five work tracks, the summit focused on efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which relate to food systems, especially Goal 2 (Eliminate hunger).

An independent scientific group was established before the summit, to provide data and research including the global scientific community, where the information received was used in order to obtain a recommendation of seven innovative priorities; To transform food systems for the better, three of these priorities are directly related to food science and technology.

Innovations in Food Science and Technology

Innovations in food science and technology have a long history over the past decades, and can rise to the challenge of developing global food systems. For example, food processing has made it possible to preserve nutrients, enhance quality and safety, and extend the shelf life of products. Another example of the role of innovation and science is the process of “food fortification,” which is intended to add specific nutrients to food. To meet specific nutritional needs as well, in order to alleviate the severity of malnutrition. But the question here is: What are the main steps that must be followed to activate sustainable food systems?

First: Exploitation of food waste

The world wastes millions of tons of food every year, and therefore reducing food waste, then encouraging people to eat meals with a lower carbon footprint; It’s perfect. But given the difficulty of applying this in all homes, in addition to the lack of sufficient awareness among many people; Processing technologies (such as 3D printing) can be used; To convert food waste into new food products, promoting efficient use of resources.

For those who do not know, 3D printing technology for foods is one of the promising innovations, which can use specific quantities and selected elements of nutrients. To produce foods with a shape, taste and texture that suits every person. It can contribute – significantly – to reducing the phenomenon of food waste, as well as using its waste as raw materials to manufacture new products, as we indicated.

Second: Food diversification

Ongoing efforts at dietary diversification include exploiting untapped resources from different types of crops, which contain high amounts of nutrients, by increasing the consumption of these neglected or small crops, and the use of sustainable alternatives – such as seafood and edible insects – may become popular in some cultures, such as some countries in Asia.

Diversification of food can help reduce overconsumption of the Big Five (maize, rice, wheat, potatoes, and cassava), and expand the range of crops and nutrients they rely on. It can also encourage increased domestic food production and build a resilient food system that can withstand shocks.

Third: Sustainable food processing

Food processing processes have proven an important role in obtaining more health benefits from food, as scientific evidence strongly indicates that nutritional components that are activated in functional foods can provide health benefits beyond their usual nutritional value, and can also prevent diseases, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, and this preventive approach to health is largely unexploited.

Effective implementation equals success

Effective implementation of these recommendations now is a key task, especially in areas most affected by food insecurity, and requires food systems policy initiatives at the local and global levels. The importance of participation at the local community level lies in increasing the chances of maintaining the impact of these initiatives, and making them more realistic and consistent with the cultural characteristics in each community. Local participation will also have a decisive role in collecting and clarifying cultural beliefs in a way that determines the path towards innovation. To be in the appropriate direction, so that the local community receives these innovations with acceptance. Therefore, the appropriate solution in China – for example – is not appropriate in Egypt.

The above calls for a comprehensive approach to scientific data collection, including a general orientation to society. Data sharing in scientific journals must also be expanded to include non-traditional methods and results, especially methods and results of regional importance, which can accelerate the creation and development of new solutions.

Innovation processes should focus on the consumer, rather than exclusively on industry and finance priorities, and food is an interesting topic for most people; Therefore, involving the public in discussions about food systems is a way to reduce misinformation and thus obtain appropriate innovations that gain public acceptance.

Finally, the complexity of current food systems requires cooperation across various scientific and practical disciplines and sectors, to develop and implement various solutions that will strengthen these systems and make them more resilient to various shocks. Academic and research institutions must therefore update their policies to reward such collaborative approaches, which have a better chance of providing solutions than the status quo.