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Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets
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Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 29451

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Wioleta Sobczak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Development Policy and Marketing, Institute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: food policy; agriculture and food economics; consumption of fruit and vegetables; organic food; food market; food systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A key challenge for most advanced economies is reorganizing food systems based on a farm-to-fork strategy that comprehensively addresses the challenges of sustainable food systems and underlines the importance of the links between human health, social health and planetary health at every stage food chain. It is important that sustainable food systems emphasize the role of diet as the basic link between food, human health and nutritional outcomes. With a view to further improving food and nutrition security at local, national and regional levels. This action pays particular attention to the revival and protection of organic food production and to supporting the development of short food distribution chains. It should also be mentioned that traditional and modern food production and distribution coexist and complement each other, offering particular opportunities for better nutrition and contributing to more sustainable food systems. Food supply is essential, the food environment and consumer behavior are essential elements of the food systems that determine nutrition and the relationship with health.

To successfully achieve nutritional goals, it is essential to take a holistic approach to sustainable food systems that takes into account their totality, completeness and relationship to environmental, social and economic dimensions. Bearing in mind the above, it should be noted that the concept of food systems has become an important element of food policy.

This special issue highlights good practice and the discussion of food policy and sustainable food systems towards a healthy diet. Therefore, we invite you to submit articles and reviews on the following topics:

  • Interconnections and implications of food policy for food security and a healthy diet. Holistic approach to food systems.
  • Balanced food systems for a healthy, varied and balanced diet.
  • Directions of development of the agri-food market and food chains in order to implement the sustainable development strategy.
  • Research on shopping and consumption behavior in terms of eating habits.
  • Opportunities and barriers to the sustainable transformation of the food system in the world of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19.
  • Innovative and integrative solutions for the food system throughout the entire food value chain, improving food quality.

The submissions can be a review of the scientific literature or describe original research. Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary contributions are encouraged.

Dr. Wioleta Sobczak
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • food systems
  • food policy
  • healthy
  • healthy diets
  • sustainable food systems
  • food consumption
  • agri-food markets and food chain
  • sustainable development
  • food value chains
  • supply chain management

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 7937 KiB  
Article
Nurturing Sustainability and Health: Exploring the Role of Short Supply Chains in the Evolution of Food Systems—The Case of Poland
by Nina Drejerska and Wioleta Sobczak-Malitka
Foods 2023, 12(22), 4171; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12224171 - 19 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1283
Abstract
Over the last few decades, short food supply chains and local food markets, where farmers either sell their products directly to consumers or use a limited number of intermediaries, have developed worldwide in rural and urban areas. They complement conventional, often globalized, long [...] Read more.
Over the last few decades, short food supply chains and local food markets, where farmers either sell their products directly to consumers or use a limited number of intermediaries, have developed worldwide in rural and urban areas. They complement conventional, often globalized, long food chains where small farmers have little bargaining power, and consumers cannot link the food they buy to a known agricultural producer or geographical area where the food is produced. The advantage of direct sales is that producers can obtain a higher price while consumers have easier access to fresh and seasonal food products. The main aim of the paper is to identify and characterize the spatial concentration of local food systems in Poland and their importance in sustainable development and food policy for healthy eating. As part of this study, an analysis of the statistical data of the Central Statistical Office for 2021 was carried out. Data obtained from the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate as of mid-2021 were analyzed to discuss the topic in detail. Descriptive methods and comparative analyses were used to understand regional differences. Absolute and proportional values were used for the research to enable better comparisons between regions, using the traditional method used in spatial structure studies, i.e., the distribution index (number of entities per 1000 inhabitants). The analysis identified spatial differences and possible implications for food policy and regional development. In addition, data on the number of marketplaces in Polish regions in 2022 were used. The study results indicated that short supply chains in the Polish food system contribute to increasing the availability of healthy local products, which may improve consumer health. However, despite these benefits, the results revealed challenges such as the limited production scale of local suppliers and the need to adapt to changing market conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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15 pages, 287 KiB  
Article
Consumers’ Attitude towards Supermarket and Proximity Stores as Purchasing Outlets of Italian Potato Consumers
by Antonella Samoggia, Giulia Rossi and Federica Beccati
Foods 2023, 12(15), 2877; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12152877 - 28 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1010
Abstract
World potato consumption has fallen. Similarly, Italian consumers are buying fewer potatoes, despite the high number of certified quality and innovative potatoes being produced. Moreover, Italian consumers’ knowledge of potato characteristics and innovations tends to be limited. To increase consumer engagement and revitalize [...] Read more.
World potato consumption has fallen. Similarly, Italian consumers are buying fewer potatoes, despite the high number of certified quality and innovative potatoes being produced. Moreover, Italian consumers’ knowledge of potato characteristics and innovations tends to be limited. To increase consumer engagement and revitalize the market, strategic marketing efforts need to be implemented by addressing the different characteristics of consumers in the different purchase channels. The aim of this study is to explore and differentiate consumer purchasing behavior and attitudes towards potatoes in supermarkets and neighborhood channels. The study collected 855 responses through an online survey. Data processing included the creation of indices of consumers’ knowledge of potato nutrition and their propensity to innovate, as well as logistic regression to analyze the determinants of potato-purchasing behavior. The results show that consumers with increased potato consumption, a higher level of education, and employment prefer to buy potatoes in the supermarket. A preference for potato innovation also increases the likelihood that consumers will buy potatoes in supermarkets. Conversely, consumers with elderly relatives at home and a low level of education, but a high level of knowledge about the nutritional properties of potatoes, prefer to shop through neighborhood channels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
19 pages, 2164 KiB  
Article
Research on the International Sustainable Practice of the Taiwanese Food and Agricultural Education Law under the Current Global Food Security Challenges
by Chih-Cheng Huang, Shang-Pin Li, Jiin-Chyuan Mark Lai, Yung-Kuan Chan and Ming-Yuan Hsieh
Foods 2023, 12(14), 2785; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142785 - 21 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 973
Abstract
On 19 April 2022, in order to overcome a succession of recent global food health and agriculture safety (FHAS) incidents, the Taiwanese government instituted and announced 20 comprehensive Articles under the Taiwanese Food and Agricultural Education Law (TFAEL) for regulating the Taiwanese FHAS [...] Read more.
On 19 April 2022, in order to overcome a succession of recent global food health and agriculture safety (FHAS) incidents, the Taiwanese government instituted and announced 20 comprehensive Articles under the Taiwanese Food and Agricultural Education Law (TFAEL) for regulating the Taiwanese FHAS in order to completely construct the international strategies under the current global food security challenges of the FAHS. As a result, this research study firstly employs the learning community model (LCM) of the learning theory to measure the implementing depth of the international sustainability practice of the 20 Articles of the Taiwanese FHASE from a learning performance analytical perspective. Then, the social learning theory (SLT) of the educational theory is applied to consolidate the individual behaviors of the relative stakeholders, the organizational management of the relative industries and the socialized consent of the multilateral organization performance assessment network (MOPAN) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). After completing quantitative and qualitative analyses, the two most valuable conclusions and findings were as follows: (1) Not only Article 12, but also Articles 3, 4 and 5 of the new law can empirically facilitate strategic management for supporting and promoting the Taiwanese FHAS educational policy dialogue at a global, regional and country scale in order to effectively advance the international sustainable compatibility of the TFAEL. (2) Articles 6, 11 and 16 of the new law can completely construct operational management for building normative and standard-setting Taiwanese FHAS educational works in order to efficiently advance the international sustainable compatibility of the TFAEL. Therefore, beyond the analytical results of this research, the international sustainable compatibility of the TFAEL provides a direction for the development of sustainable food systems, food policies, agricultural food markets and food chains in order to overcome the various contemporary global food security challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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20 pages, 2768 KiB  
Article
Teaching Systems-Thinking Concepts with Hypothetical Case Scenarios: An Exploration in Food-Systems Science Education
by Catherine E. Sanders, Allison R. Byrd, Kristin E. Gibson, Aaron Golson, Kevan W. Lamm and Alexa J. Lamm
Foods 2023, 12(14), 2663; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142663 - 11 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1475
Abstract
Background: The ability to solve complex challenges facing the food system is an increasingly important skill for undergraduate students entering into the global workforce. However, the curriculum tools to enhance systems thinking in the undergraduate agricultural and natural resource classroom are limited, specifically [...] Read more.
Background: The ability to solve complex challenges facing the food system is an increasingly important skill for undergraduate students entering into the global workforce. However, the curriculum tools to enhance systems thinking in the undergraduate agricultural and natural resource classroom are limited, specifically related to food systems education. Methods: The current study explored the use of hypothetical case scenarios in a teaching curriculum related to the seafood industry, in order to determine the use of these tools as a mechanism for increasing undergraduate students’ systems-thinking capacity. The mixed-method study used a survey and focus groups. Results indicated that participants’ understanding of, and capacity for, using systems thinking to reason through complex scenarios increased during the mixed-method educational intervention. Participants stated the experience helped them learn more about their own patterns of thinking, created transformational learning moments through dissonance, helped them learn about the unintended consequences of decision-making, and increased their understanding of system complexity. Conclusions: The implications of using hypothetical case scenarios in the food system education classroom are explored. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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14 pages, 1370 KiB  
Article
Quality Characteristics of Fresh Date Palm Fruits of “Medjoul” and “Confitera” cv. from the Southeast of Spain (Elche Palm Grove)
by Clara Muñoz-Bas, Nuria Muñoz-Tebar, Laura Candela-Salvador, José A. Pérez-Alvarez, José M. Lorenzo, Manuel Viuda-Martos and Juana Fernández-López
Foods 2023, 12(14), 2659; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142659 - 10 Jul 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1627
Abstract
The quality characteristics (physical, techno-functional, and chemical) of date fruits (at the tamar stage) of two cultivars (“Confitera”, autochthonous and unknown vs. “Medjoul”, widely distributed and well-known), grown in the Southeast of Spain (Elche palm grove) were evaluated in order to reinforce decisions [...] Read more.
The quality characteristics (physical, techno-functional, and chemical) of date fruits (at the tamar stage) of two cultivars (“Confitera”, autochthonous and unknown vs. “Medjoul”, widely distributed and well-known), grown in the Southeast of Spain (Elche palm grove) were evaluated in order to reinforce decisions aimed at organizing the production of fresh dates from Elche by selecting the most profitable cultivar. Morphologically, Confitera dates were longer and with higher pulp yield than Medjoul dates (4.58 cm vs. 3.88 cm, and 84% vs. 78%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Nutritionally, both dates are a good source of carbohydrates (total sugars (43–48%) and dietary fiber (20–22%)), with small amounts of fat and proteins. The main free sugars in dates from both cultivars were glucose and fructose (reducing sugars). The most abundant mineral found in both date fruits were K, followed by Ca or Mg (depending on the cultivar; Ca in Medjoul and Mg in Confitera). Confitera dates showed a higher total antioxidant activity than Medjoul, corresponding with their higher (p < 0.05) content in polyphenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids (catechin and epicatechin predominantly). Confitera dates should be promoted in this region not only for their contribution to sustainable agricultural development and biodiversity, but also for their higher overall quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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19 pages, 324 KiB  
Article
Issue Leadership: Establishing a Domain for a Food Systems Leadership Model
by Kevan W. Lamm
Foods 2023, 12(13), 2598; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12132598 - 4 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1134
Abstract
A sustainable food system is a fundamental requirement for the ongoing functioning and growth of society. However, despite the critical importance of the food system from both economic and social perspectives, there are several political, environmental, and human capital issues which represent barriers [...] Read more.
A sustainable food system is a fundamental requirement for the ongoing functioning and growth of society. However, despite the critical importance of the food system from both economic and social perspectives, there are several political, environmental, and human capital issues which represent barriers to sustainable production. For example, in the United States, the need for more production capacity to feed a growing population is juxtaposed with a shrinking and aging food system workforce. The nexus of such fundamentally opposed issues represents a situation in which technical solutions may be insufficient. Using a three-round Delphi process with an expert panel, a total of 106 unique leadership competencies or behaviors were identified. The resulting behaviors and competencies were then thematically analyzed using the constant comparative method. The proposed food systems leadership model, named Issue Leadership, includes 39 subthemes and 7 primary themes. The primary themes include action; change; communication; critical thinking, strategic planning and visioning; interpersonal traits and characteristics; leadership skills; and leadership processes. This study establishes the unique context that agriculture and food systems represent and the necessity for leadership models that are competency- and practice-based. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
13 pages, 580 KiB  
Article
A Needs Assessment to Inform Research and Outreach Efforts for Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Food Production in the Western United States
by Alexa J. Lamm, Kevan W. Lamm, Sara Trojan, Catherine E. Sanders and Allison R. Byrd
Foods 2023, 12(8), 1630; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12081630 - 13 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1782
Abstract
Increasing the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices can help maintain sufficient food production while reducing its environmental impact. To ensure this adoption, it is important to assess the research and training needs of those helping farmers and producers adopt sustainable agricultural practices. However, [...] Read more.
Increasing the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices can help maintain sufficient food production while reducing its environmental impact. To ensure this adoption, it is important to assess the research and training needs of those helping farmers and producers adopt sustainable agricultural practices. However, there is a gap in the literature related to the training needs of producers in the Western United States for sustainable agriculture. Needs assessments help organizations, such as the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and Cooperative Extension, to address the demonstrated needs of intended audiences. This study presents the results of a needs assessment with the objective of examining training needs and barriers to adoption to help direct extension programming for sustainable agricultural practices in the western region of the United States, to identify gaps, and to inform sustainable agriculture outreach programs. Using a modified Borich method with an inferential statistical method, the discrepancies between the level at which sustainable agricultural practice training competencies “should be addressed” and the level at which they were “currently being addressed” were examined. Competencies with the largest gaps included financial disparity, food waste, and policy/communicating with decision makers. The top three barriers to adopting sustainable agricultural practices included the potential for financial loss, perceived risk of adoption, and time investment associated with adoption. Results indicated that training needs varied and that these were not all on-farm training needs. The results imply that future funding from Western SARE and other groups looking to support sustainable agricultural food system efforts, may wish to focus on requesting proposals for programs that address these competency gaps and barriers in novel and supplementary ways in combination with existing programmatic efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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23 pages, 2279 KiB  
Article
Supplemental C Addressed the pH Conundrum in Sustainable Marine Aquaponic Food Production Systems
by Yu-Ting Chu, Yiwen Bao, Jen-Yi Huang, Hye-Ji Kim and Paul B. Brown
Foods 2023, 12(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12010069 - 23 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2029
Abstract
pH is the major issue that concerns all producers in aquaponics, as the main three organisms (aquatic animal, plant, and microbes) have different preferences. Additional C is a potential approach to amend the growing environment and improve shrimp and plant growth, and microbe [...] Read more.
pH is the major issue that concerns all producers in aquaponics, as the main three organisms (aquatic animal, plant, and microbes) have different preferences. Additional C is a potential approach to amend the growing environment and improve shrimp and plant growth, and microbe establishment. Aquaponics under saline conditions has, however, not been studied in detail in regard to the effect of pH and additional C. In this study, we evaluate the impact of pH and additional C on the growth of Pacific whiteleg shrimp and five edible plants (three halophytes and two glycophytes) in marine aquaponic systems using nutrient film technique (NFT). The results indicated that plants grow better in both pH 6.5 treatments; however, additional C improved the growth in pH 7.5 + C treatment and had similar yield to lower pH treatments. The results indicated both pH and additional C had little impact on shrimp growth. In conclusion, adding C can be a practical solution to the pH conundrum for marine aquaponics. Appling additional C was suggested for the operation of marine aquaponic food production system when the pH is high. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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14 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
A Transition towards a Food and Agricultural System That Includes Both Food Security and Planetary Health
by Maria Hofman-Bergholm
Foods 2023, 12(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12010012 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2127
Abstract
This theoretical paper builds on a multidisciplinary framework which is structured to acknowledge the need to combine different research disciplines to understand the problems within our current unsustainable food system and be able to develop possible solutions through new innovations. Current food production [...] Read more.
This theoretical paper builds on a multidisciplinary framework which is structured to acknowledge the need to combine different research disciplines to understand the problems within our current unsustainable food system and be able to develop possible solutions through new innovations. Current food production methods come at an environmental cost as they generate large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions which affect biodiversity and climate change. The article shows that the problems surrounding food systems and our culture around food, are multifaceted and intricate. The fact is that a growing number of citizens suffer from obesity with various consequential diseases as a result, while a part of the population is still malnourished and dying of hunger. This paper summarizes results from some fairly new studies and different international policy reports to try to clarify how broad the problem is, which is crucial to find new pathways forward to address the problems. Through theoretical discussion, the paper identifies some of the deep underlying root causes and fundamental reasons as to why the urgent needed change is so slow. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
14 pages, 282 KiB  
Article
Nutritional Status, Dietary Habits, and Physical Activity in Older Adults from Manta, Manabí
by Arencibia Moreno Ricardo, Hernández Gallardo Damaris, Linares Girela Daniel and Linares Manrique Marta
Foods 2022, 11(23), 3901; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11233901 - 3 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1770
Abstract
Defining the nutritional status and physical activity level of older adults makes it possible to guide them toward healthy lifestyles. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary habits, nutritional status, and physical activity engagement in older adults living in the [...] Read more.
Defining the nutritional status and physical activity level of older adults makes it possible to guide them toward healthy lifestyles. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary habits, nutritional status, and physical activity engagement in older adults living in the city of Manta, Manabí. Methods: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study of 130 older adults was conducted to determine nutritional status via anthropometry, self-reported frequency of the consumption of foodstuffs, calculation of the healthy eating index (IAS), and physical activity patterns. Results: Average age was 71.62 ± 4.34 years, whilst 83.07% of participants were at nutritional risk due to being overweight or obese. Dietary habits in males were characterized by the consumption of three meals a day, as well as greater intake of cereals, roots, tubers, and milk and its derivatives, whilst females consumed more fruits and vegetables. Meat was widely consumed, although females consumed more fish and seafood than males. Eggs were hugely popular foods, in contrast to legumes. Pasta was a dietary staple in females. Visible fats and luncheon meats were consumed little. IAS values reflected the “need to change”, whilst physical activity engagement was found to be low. Conclusions: The nutritional status of the present study population was characterized by a tendency toward increasing overweight, particularly amongst females, with the predominance of class 1 obesity, low physical activity, and a healthy eating index requiring change toward more healthy habits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
23 pages, 1877 KiB  
Article
Comparative Advantage of Agricultural Trade in Countries along the Belt and Road and China and Its Dynamic Evolution Characteristics
by Defeng Zhang and Zhilu Sun
Foods 2022, 11(21), 3401; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11213401 - 28 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3851
Abstract
Trade is an important means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 2.1 “Zero Hunger”, and comparative advantage can be used to explain the causes and performance of trade. This study measures the static distribution of agricultural trade comparative advantage in countries [...] Read more.
Trade is an important means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 2.1 “Zero Hunger”, and comparative advantage can be used to explain the causes and performance of trade. This study measures the static distribution of agricultural trade comparative advantage in countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) and China by utilizing the Balassa revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index, and further calculates its dynamic change by utilizing the revealed symmetric comparative advantage (RSCA) index and the ordinary least squares correlation analysis. The results show that: (1) in the face of multiple unfavorable factors, the initial comparative advantage of most agricultural products at Harmonized System (HS) 2-digit level in countries along the B&R and China deteriorated, simultaneously, but the initial comparative disadvantage of most and some agricultural products at HS 2-digit level in countries along the B&R and China improved, respectively; (2) the present agricultural trade comparative advantage in most countries along the B&R was higher than China and had a larger extent of change, but the current product structure of their bilateral agricultural trade was in line with each other’s comparative advantage, indirectly proving the validity of the Heckscher–Ohlin theorem. Our research findings suggest that the agricultural trade comparative advantage in countries along the B&R and China need to be further utilized to improve agricultural trade performance and better play its important role in ensuring global, regional, and national food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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18 pages, 2740 KiB  
Article
Investment Decision of Blockchain-Based Traceability Service Input for a Competitive Agri-Food Supply Chain
by Pan Liu, Ziran Zhang and Ye Li
Foods 2022, 11(19), 2981; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11192981 - 23 Sep 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1708
Abstract
Competitive agri-food supply chain (hereafter, AFSC) is an important component of AFSC. In a competitive environment, more and more AFSCs use blockchain-based traceability services (hereafter, BBTS) to improve the traceability level of agricultural products. The investment rules concerning BBTS and the coordination rules [...] Read more.
Competitive agri-food supply chain (hereafter, AFSC) is an important component of AFSC. In a competitive environment, more and more AFSCs use blockchain-based traceability services (hereafter, BBTS) to improve the traceability level of agricultural products. The investment rules concerning BBTS and the coordination rules in an AFSC are vital issues for many firms who want to adopt BBTS. To explore these laws, we constructed two competitive AFSCs, each of which included a supplier and a retailer. Considering the new changes in consumers’ perception of product quality and safety after using the BBTS, the demand function was modified. Then we built the income functions of chain members under three situations of investment. The research found that: (1) the improvement of customers’ perceived quality by using the BBTS can increase their benefits; (2) when decision-makers want to invest in the BBTS, they should pay attention to consumers’ perceived quality safety factor for their competitive products; (3) when the investment cost is greater than its threshold value, two competitive AFSCs should invest in the BBTS together. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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25 pages, 5830 KiB  
Article
A Refined Supervision Model of Rice Supply Chain Based on Multi-Blockchain
by Xiangzhen Peng, Xin Zhang, Xiaoyi Wang, Jiping Xu, Haisheng Li, Zhiyao Zhao and Zhibo Qi
Foods 2022, 11(18), 2785; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11182785 - 9 Sep 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2189
Abstract
With the development of Agriculture 4.0, the requirements for sustainable agriculture and precision agriculture continue to grow. As one of the three major staple foods globally, the quality and safety of rice affect human health as well as social development. To ensure the [...] Read more.
With the development of Agriculture 4.0, the requirements for sustainable agriculture and precision agriculture continue to grow. As one of the three major staple foods globally, the quality and safety of rice affect human health as well as social development. To ensure the quality and safety of rice and reduce the flow of problematic rice, a multi-layer blockchain-based rice supply chain refinement supervision model MBRRSM (Multi-blockchain Rice Refined Supervision Model) is proposed from the information level. First, the characteristics of information flow in the rice supply chain are analyzed, and a classification table of key information is constructed. Second, the MBRRSM framework is designed. Based on a multi-party hybrid encryption algorithm, secure multi-party computing algorithm, multi-mode storage mechanism, and SPOP (Supervision Proof of Peers) consensus algorithm, a set of mechanisms is designed for the transmission, use, storage, and consensus of rice data in MBRRSM. Subsequently, the security and performance capabilities of MBRRSM are analyzed. Meanwhile, the SPOP consensus algorithm is analyzed. Finally, a prototype system is built based on MBRRSM and verified through exemplary scenarios in different usage situations. The results show that research on the refined supervision of the rice supply chain based on multi-blockchain can finely supervise all types of data in the rice supply chain, and provide a guarantee for enterprise users to safely transmit and use data with different privacy levels. This study presents a unique research paradigm that introduces the theories and methods of the new information field generation into the field of agricultural research, and thus assists in the strategy implementation of “holding grain in the land and storing grain in technology”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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12 pages, 893 KiB  
Article
Detection of Gluten in Gluten-Free Foods of Plant Origin
by Jana Výrostková, Ivana Regecová, František Zigo, Slavomír Marcinčák, Ivona Kožárová, Mariana Kováčová and Daniela Bertová
Foods 2022, 11(14), 2011; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142011 - 7 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1761
Abstract
The work deals with the issue of standardization and more accurate methodology for the isolation of gluten DNA in gluten-free products of plant origin, which is more demanding due to the more complex structure of plant cells. Three isolation methods were compared, of [...] Read more.
The work deals with the issue of standardization and more accurate methodology for the isolation of gluten DNA in gluten-free products of plant origin, which is more demanding due to the more complex structure of plant cells. Three isolation methods were compared, of which the combination of glass and zirconium beads, Proteinase K and a commercially produced isolation kit was confirmed to be the most effective procedure. The given isolation procedure was more effective in one-component gluten-free foods, where the concentration of the obtained DNA ranged from 80.4 ± 0.7 to 99.0 ± 0.0 ng/µL. The subsequent PCR reaction revealed the presence of gluten not only in guaranteed gluten-free products (40%), but also in naturally gluten-free foods (50%). These were mainly gluten-free sponge cakes, gluten-free biscuits “Cranberries”, cocoa powder, coffee “3in1”, and instant coffee. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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15 pages, 3667 KiB  
Article
Food Systems’ Transformation to Address Malnutrition in Selected Countries—Panel-Data Analysis on Undernourishment and Obesity
by Eihab Fathelrahman, Safdar Muhammad, Afra Abdalla, Habiba I. Ali and Ayesha Al Dhaheri
Foods 2022, 11(9), 1323; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11091323 - 30 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2563
Abstract
Global awareness of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has heightened the importance and role of food systems’ transformation in accelerating countries’ progress to achieve such goals in a timely manner. The agricultural and food systems’ transformation goal is to build resilience to [...] Read more.
Global awareness of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has heightened the importance and role of food systems’ transformation in accelerating countries’ progress to achieve such goals in a timely manner. The agricultural and food systems’ transformation goal is to build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and diseases such as undernourishment and obesity. The objective of this study is to specify the agricultural and food systems’ factors that contribute to reducing the impacts of undernourishment and obesity in selected populous and high-income countries. This study used panel data from 2000 to 2020, applying fixed and random-effect econometrics models to conduct the analyses. Results indicated that the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), level of urbanization, and flood losses at food retail from a food systems perspective were the most influential factors in the prevalence of undernourishment. Meanwhile, the supply of fatty food was the significant nutrition variable affecting undernourishment. The cereal import dependency, per capita GDP, percentage of food imports from the value of food export, and value of domestic food production factors were the influential food system variables affecting the prevalence of obesity. Cereal import dependency and dietary energy supply are the significant factors affecting the prevalence of obesity. This study recommended a set of policy actions to address malnutrition, including sustainable and balanced food and nutrition systems’ transformation, food trade openness, and efforts to reduce adversary impacts of urbanization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Systems and Food Policy for Healthy Diets)
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