Review on environmental models in the food chain - Current status and future perspectives. (1st March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Djekic, Ilija; Sanjuán, Neus; Clemente, Gabriela; Jambrak, Anet Režek; Djukić-Vuković, Aleksandra; Brodnjak, Urška Vrabič; Pop, Eugen; Thomopoulos, Rallou; Tonda, Alberto
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 176(2018)
• Page Start: 1012
• Page End: 1025
• Publication Date: 2018-03-01
• Subjects: Environment -- Food systems -- Food processes -- Models -- Interaction; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.241
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Diversity of food systems and their interaction with the environment has become a research topic for many years. Scientists use various models to explain environmental issues of food systems. This paper gives an overview of main streams in analyzing this topic. A literature review was performed by analyzing published scientific papers on environmental impacts in the food chain. The selection criteria were focused on different environmental approaches applied in the food chain and on the perspectives of future research. This review shows that on the one side there are generic environmental models developed by environmental scientists and as such applied on food. On the other side, there are models developed by food scientists in order to analyze food-environmental interactions. The environmental research in food industry can be categorized as product, process or system oriented. This study confirmed that the focus of product based approach is mainly performed through life-cycle assessments. The process based approach focuses on food processes such as heat transfer, cleaning and sanitation and various approaches in food waste management. Environmental systems in the food chain were the least investigated stream analyzing levels of environmental practices in place. Future research perspectives are the emerging challenges related to environmental impacts of novel food processing technologies, innovative food packaging and changes in diets and food consumption in connection with climate and environmental changes. Highlights: Research analyzes main streams of the interaction of food systems and environment. Generic models are developed by environmental scientists and/or by food scientists. Food based approach relies on life cycle assessment. Different models are used to evaluate environmental practices in food companies. Novel technologies, food packaging and changes in diet are future perspectives.