Principles for Evidence-Based and Sustainable Food System Innovations for Healthier Diets

Abstract

Climate change, rapid urbanization, war, and economic recession are key drivers of the current food systems’ disruption, which has been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Local, regional, and global food systems are unable to provide consumers with nutritious and affordable diets. Suboptimal diets exacerbate the triple burden of malnutrition, with micronutrient deficiencies affecting more than two billion people, two billion people suffering from overweight, and more than 140 million children who are stunted. The unaffordability of nutritious diets represents an obstacle for many, especially in low- and middle-income countries where healthy diets are five times more expensive than starchy staple diets. Food system transformations are urgently required to provide consumers with more affordable and nutritious diets that are capable of meeting social and environmental challenges. In this review, we underline the critical role of innovation within the food system transformation discourse. We aim to define principles for implementing evidence-based and long-term food system innovations that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable and, above all, aimed at improving diets and public health. We begin by defining and describing the role of innovation in the transformation of food systems and uncover the major barriers to implementing these innovations. Lastly, we explore case studies that demonstrate successful innovations for healthier diets.

Precision Nutrition Opportunities to Help Mitigate Nutrition and Health Challenges in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Expert Opinion Survey

“…However, context remains a key element for determining dietary recommendations. For example, regional accessibility, supply chains, consumer preferences, and food safety impact consumption patterns of plant-based food sources in specific regions [ 61 ]. A context-specific approach to nutritional recommendations may identify the need for solutions that include fortification or demand generation in a particular region or for a particular subgroup [ 62 ].…”

Innovative Research for Nutrition- and Climate-Smart Food Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…Beyond biofortification, other innovations directed towards nutrition and food system transformation have a critical role to play. Emerging food system innovations (FSI) must be developed and implemented holistically to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability [14]. Understanding how the different components of the food system interact is indispensable to create synergies toward evidence-based FSI for healthier diets [14].…”

“…Emerging food system innovations (FSI) must be developed and implemented holistically to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability [14]. Understanding how the different components of the food system interact is indispensable to create synergies toward evidence-based FSI for healthier diets [14]. Recognizing the dynamics within this network requires research across multiple disciplines, such as agriculture, nutrition, economics, environmental science, and policy [14].…”

“…Understanding how the different components of the food system interact is indispensable to create synergies toward evidence-based FSI for healthier diets [14]. Recognizing the dynamics within this network requires research across multiple disciplines, such as agriculture, nutrition, economics, environmental science, and policy [14]. This research is necessary to develop evidence-based and sustainable solutions that can address the complex challenges of our food system.…”