Carbon Footprint of Away-From-Home Food Consumption in Brazilian Diet

Abstract

Environmentally unsustainable diets are often characterized by being high in calories, processed foods, and red meats, characteristics related to away-from-home food (AFHF). The aim of this study is to evaluate if AFHF consumption is related to environmental sustainability. Data of 20,780 adults from 24 h recalls collected in the 2017–2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey (NDS) were used to estimate carbon footprint coefficients. The mean carbon footprint was estimated among individuals who consumed AFHF and non-consumers. Linear regression models were used to evaluate differences between away-from-home eating and the carbon footprint of the diet, adjusting for age and income. A total of 41% of Brazilians consumed AFHF during the previous day. The mean carbon footprint from foods consumed away from home represented 18% of the total carbon footprint. AFHF was positively associated with increased total carbon footprint (β: 204.1; p-value: 0.0145). In conclusion, the consumption of foods away from home in urban areas of Brazil was associated with atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions independently of age and income. Away-from-home food consumption should be considered to reinforce the influence of diet on individual and planet health.

The environmental impact of beef and ultra-processed food consumption in Brazil

“…Differences also occur as there is a lack of detailed data on out-of-home food expenses in the household survey, although we perform analyses adjusted for the percentage of out-of-home spending due to this absence and present results per 1•000 kcal. A study conducted in urban areas of Brazil found that out-of-home food consumption was positively associated with increased atmospheric GHG, regardless of age and income (42) . Besides these findings, more studies incorporating different indicators are necessary for a global picture of the impact of ultra-processed foods on the environment.…”