The impact of ultra-processed food on carbon, water and ecological footprints of food in Brazil

Abstract

Background Ultra-processed foods (UPF) have been associated with major diet-related public health issues that share underlying drivers with climate change. Both challenges require major changes to the food system and so the potential benefits to health and the environment present a double motivation for transformation. Our aim is to assess the impacts of UPF on total greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), water and ecological footprints in Brazil food purchases. Methods We have used data from 4 Brazilian Household Budget Surveys (1987, 1996, 2003, 2009). Each food item was classified into NOVA food groups (unprocessed/minimally processed, culinary ingredients, processed and ultra-processed). The information was linked to nutrition and footprint data. Purchases were converted into grams per capita per day to estimate total energy (kcal), percentage of energy from UPF, as well as total GHGE, water and ecological footprints. We performed linear regression to calculate year-adjusted means of footprints per 1000 Kcal by year-specific quintiles of UPF participation in the total energy. The data were analysed in R v.3.6.1 and STATA SE 14.1. Results The mean UPF participation in total energy varied from 13% (SD 2.4) in the 1st UPF quintile to 29% (SD 5.1) in the 5th quintile. The footprints increased linearly across quintiles: the mean g CO2eq varied from 1312 in the 1st to 1721 in the 5th UPF quintile (p-trend<0.001); the mean litres of water varied from 1420 in the 1st to 1830 in the 5th quintile (p-trend<0.001); the mean m2 varied from 9.4 in the 1st to 12.3 in the 5th quintile (p < 0.001). Conclusions The environmental impacts were higher for Brazilian diets with a larger fraction of energy from UPF. Specifically, low UPF diets seem to have lower GHGE, water and ecological footprints. Our findings offer new motivators for dietary change to simultaneously healthier and more sustainable eating patterns and will be of relevance to consumers and policymakers. Key messages Diets high in UPF cause more climate impact than diets with lower levels of UPF. Healthy and sustainable dietary patterns should be low in ultra-processed foods.

Burden of non-communicable diseases attributable to dietary risks in Brazil, 1990-2019: an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

“…Among the main risk behaviors related to NCDs morbidity and mortality, four modifiable risk factors stand out: inadequate diet, insufficient physical activity, tobacco use, and harmful consumption of alcoholic beverages 1 . Regarding the dietary pattern of the Brazilian population, in recent decades, an increase has been observed in ultra-processed food consumption and a decrease in the consumption of fresh foods, resulting in inadequate and, in general, highly energy-dense and nutrient-poor diets 7 . Low- and middle-income countries, such as Brazil, where there are vulnerabilities in food access, have been experiencing a coexistence of malnutrition with undernutrition, overweight, obesity, and NCDs 8 .…”

Dietary Environmental Footprints and Their Association with Socioeconomic Factors and Food Purchase Practices: BRAZUCA Natal Study

“…In the field of nutrition, studies using ecological (EF) [ 7 , 8 , 9 ], water (WF) [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], and carbon (CF) [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ] footprints to assess the dietary sustainability of population groups have become frequent. These indicators are interesting as they enable laying the basis for educational action and public policies aimed at reducing environmental impacts and improving health through diet [ 19 , 20 ].…”