Search Results (45)

Coastal port cities depend on global seafood flows, yet their food security is increasingly exposed to price volatility and supply disruptions. This study examines Busan citizens’ perceptions of seafood-related food security and seafood supply chain stability, and derives actionable municipal policy priorities for a trade-dependent port city. Anchored in the FAO four-dimensional framework—availability, access, utilization, and stability—we developed 20 seafood-related attributes and surveyed adult residents in Busan (n = 297). The measurement structure was assessed through reliability checks and exploratory factor analysis, and Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) was used to map attribute-level priorities and identify the largest importance–performance gaps. Overall, respondents regard seafood food security as highly important but only moderately satisfactory. Availability and utilization perform relatively well, indicating perceived strengths in basic supply conditions and safe consumption, whereas access and stability show lower performance relative to importance, reflecting concerns about affordability, uneven physical access for vulnerable groups, price volatility, and exposure to external shocks. Notably, several stability-related attributes emerge as “Concentrate Here” priorities, highlighting the need for strengthened risk management, early warning communication, and resilience-oriented logistics planning at the city level. By integrating the FAO framework with attribute-level IPA, this study demonstrates how citizen perception data can translate macro food security debates into locally implementable priorities for building sustainable food systems in coastal cities. Full article

Aquatic environments have been a critical source of nutrition for millennia, with wild fisheries supplying protein and nutrients to populations worldwide. A notable shift has occurred in recent decades with the expansion of aquaculture, now representing a fast-growing sector in food production. Aquaculture plays a key role in mitigating the depletion of wild fish stocks and addressing issues related to overfishing. Despite its potential benefits, the sustainability of both wild and farmed aquatic food systems is challenged by anthropogenic pollution. Contaminants from agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and domestic effluents enter freshwater systems and eventually reach marine environments, where they may be transported globally through ocean currents. Maintaining water quality is paramount to food safety, environmental integrity, and long-term food security. In addition to conventional seafood products such as fish and shellfish, foods such as those derived from microalgae are gaining attention in Western markets for their high nutritional value and potential functional properties. These organisms have been consumed in Asia for generations and are now being explored as sustainable foods and ingredients as an alternative source of protein. Contaminants in aquatic food products include residues of agrochemicals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), as well as brominated flame retardants and heavy metals. Public and scientific attention has intensified around plastic pollution, particularly microplastics and nanoplastics, which are increasingly detected in aquatic organisms and are the subject of ongoing toxicological and ecological risk assessments. While the presence of these hazards necessitates robust risk assessment and regulatory oversight, it is important to balance these concerns against the health benefits of aquatic foods, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality proteins, vitamins, and trace elements. Furthermore, beyond direct human health implications, the environmental impact of pollutant sources must be addressed through integrated management approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and the food systems they support. This review covers regulatory frameworks, risk assessments, and management issues relating to aquatic environments, including the impact of climate change. It aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers, policymakers, food businesses who harvest food from aquatic systems and other stakeholders. Full article

Background/Objectives: Most research linking diet and mental health outcomes is from high-income countries, limiting insight into how these relationships manifest in culturally diverse, vulnerable contexts, such as the Caribbean. This scoping review aims to map existing research on the relationship between aspects of diet and mental health within Caribbean populations, to identify evidence gaps and guide future research. Methods: Eleven databases were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2024 in 33 Caribbean countries which assessed the relationship between diet and mental health outcomes. Duplicate screening and extraction were conducted using Redcap software, and a narrative synthesis and evidence gap map were created. The original protocol was registered with Open Science Framework. Results: Forty-four records were included, nine of which focused on eating disorders (examined separately). Most were cross-sectional studies of the general population, with few experimental and qualitative studies. Surveys were the most frequently applied data collection tool, often without mention of local adaptation or validation. Most records examined food security and depression as their ‘diet’ and ‘mental health’ variables, respectively. Frequently explored relationships included autism and seafood intake and fruit and vegetable intake, while depression and food security was the most widely examined relationship across studies. Conclusions: Caribbean research on diet–mental health relationships is growing though it is limited in scope, design, and cultural validity. Strengthening this evidence base requires studies whose primary aim is in nutritional psychiatry, using culturally relevant tools, and an expansion of study designs that incorporate Caribbean food systems and sociocultural contexts surrounding diet and mental health. Full article

Aquatic product value-added trade constitutes a vital component of agricultural food security. Particularly in developing coastal nations, aquatic products serve as the backbone of the agricultural sector. However, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities not only disrupt the global marine aquatic products value chain but also accelerate the degradation of marine ecosystems and the depletion of marine resources, posing severe challenges to sustainable fisheries and environmental governance. In 2022, the World Trade Organization reached a consensus on fisheries subsidy negotiations, while regional agreements such as the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) incorporated fisheries into relevant provisions under environmental rules. This indicates that high-standard environmental trade agreements are emerging as crucial tools for cross-border fisheries governance. This study employs open economy theory and a deep text protocol database to conduct an empirical analysis of the impact of high-standard bilateral environmental provisions on the interconnections within the aquatic products value chain. Findings reveal that environmental provisions significantly strengthen these linkages by lowering market access barriers, promoting technology spillovers, and reinforcing horizontal and vertical labor division. Heterogeneity analysis further shows that the extent of these effects varies with trade provisions, political distance, and network position. These insights offer new perspectives for seafood exports and upstream–downstream coordination in aquatic products, providing policy implications for regions seeking to enhance their value chain advantages. Full article

Shellfish aquaculture is considered a major pillar of the seafood industry for its high market value, which increases the value for global food security and sustainability, often constrained in terms of conventional, labor-intensive practices. This review outlines the importance of automation and its advances in the shellfish value chain, starting from the hatchery operations to harvesting, processing, traceability, and logistics. Emerging technologies such as imaging, computer vision, artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT, blockchain, and RFID provide a major impact in transforming the shellfish sector by improving the efficiency, reducing the labor costs and environmental impacts, enhancing the food safety, and providing transparency throughout the supply chain. The studies involving the bivalves and crustaceans on their automated feeding, harvesting, grading, depuration, non-destructive quality assessments, and smart monitoring in transportation are highlighted in this review to address concerns involved with conventional practices. The review puts forth the need for integrating automated technologies into farm management and post-harvest operations to scale shellfish aquaculture sustainably, meeting the rising global demand while aligning with the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

Food spoilage and contamination remain pressing global challenges, undermining food security and safety while driving economic losses. Conventional preservation strategies, including thermal treatments, refrigeration, and synthetic additives, often compromise nutritional quality and raise sustainability concerns, thereby necessitating natural, effective alternatives. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa, has demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, making it a promising candidate for food preservation. However, its poor solubility, instability, and low bioavailability limit direct applications in food systems. Advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of nanoformulated curcumin, enhancing solubility, stability, controlled release, and functional efficacy. This review examines the antimicrobial mechanisms of curcumin and its nanoformulations, including membrane disruption, oxidative stress via reactive oxygen species, quorum sensing inhibition, and biofilm suppression. Applications in active and smart packaging are highlighted, where curcumin nanoformulation not only extends shelf life but also enables freshness monitoring through pH-responsive color changes. Evidence across meats, seafood, fruits, dairy, and beverages shows improved microbial safety, oxidative stability, and sensory quality. Multifunctional systems, such as hybrid composites and stimuli-responsive carriers, represent next-generation tools for sustainable packaging. However, challenges remain with scale-up, migration safety, cytotoxicity, and potential promotion of antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) transfer. Future research should focus on safety validation, advanced nanocarriers, ARG-aware strategies, and regulatory frameworks. Overall, nanoformulated curcumin offers a natural, versatile, and eco-friendly approach to food preservation that aligns with clean-label consumer demand. Full article

Fisheries and aquaculture are crucial for global food security, supporting over 60 million livelihoods worldwide, predominantly in developing countries. This paper presents a perspective on the socioeconomic impacts of the expanding seafood trade and aquaculture growth on dependent communities, emphasizing their interconnected effects on livelihoods, poverty alleviation, and equitable development. While aquaculture can increase fish supply and stabilize markets, it requires strategic policies and sustainable management to prevent negative consequences such as habitat degradation and resource competition, particularly for small-scale fishers. The concept of pro-poor aquaculture is vital for ensuring fair access and benefits, though challenges persist in resource access, market dynamics, and regulatory gaps. Despite economic gains, the global seafood trade raises concerns about diverting nutritious food from local consumption and threatening food sovereignty, highlighting the need for policies that balance trade interests with domestic food security and equitable access. To address these issues, integrated policy frameworks are essential. These should promote sustainable management, equitable resource access and support for local markets, finally fostering a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable aquatic food system for all stakeholders. Full article

Global production of fisheries and aquaculture products continues to increase, with the fisheries sector increasingly considered essential for global food security and nutrition. As public demand for seafood increases, implementation of safety management to minimize risks and ensure the safety of seafood products becomes important. This study was conducted to monitor 198 chemicals, comprising 161 pesticides and 37 pesticide metabolites, and to assess their risks in saltwater and freshwater fish in the Republic of Korea, based on the analysis of 471 fishery samples (298 saltwater and 173 freshwater). Among the fifteen saltwater fish species analyzed, pesticides were detected in eight species (croaker, flatfish, sea bass, flounder, snapper, yellow tail, salmon, and gizzard shad) and in all seven freshwater species (carp, catfish, crucian carp, eel, leather carp, loach, and trout). Four pesticides (ethoxyquin, lufenuron, metaflumizone, and propiconazole) were detected in saltwater fish, while nine pesticides (ethoxyquin, ipfencarbazone, isoprothiolane, lufenuron, metaflumizone, oxadiargyl, pendimethalin, phoxim, and trichlorfon) were found in freshwater fish. Ethoxyquin was the most frequently detected pesticide in both fish types, mostly in the form of its metabolite, the ethoxyquin dimer. The estimated daily intake (EDI) was calculated based on the maximum concentrations of pesticides detected and the average consumption of fishery products by sex and age group. The hazard quotients, expressed as a percentage of acceptable daily intake (%ADI) and calculated using the EDI and ADI of the pesticides detected, were evaluated to be no more than 5.6%. These results suggest that consumption of saltwater and freshwater fish in the Republic of Korea poses a low risk to human health. This approach can be applied to pesticide residue monitoring and risk assessment in the fisheries sector, providing valuable data for evaluating contamination levels and supporting the regulation and management of chemical residues. Full article

Background: Balancing nutrition security with environmental sustainability is a key priority in global food policy, with Sustainable Healthy Diets (SHDs) serving as a critical framework aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Traditional Japanese cuisine reflects SHD principles through its emphasis on plant-based, seasonal, and minimally processed dishes. However, modern, globalized dietary patterns increasingly feature ultra-processed foods, raising concerns about health risks such as high sodium intake. Methods: This study adopts a novel dish-level content analysis of 120 contemporary recipes from NHK Today’s Cooking between 2023 and 2025, a TV program by Japan’s national public broadcaster that is widely regarded as reflecting the practices of Japanese home cooking, to examine how SHDs pillars—nutritional diversity (e.g., varied protein sources), environmental sustainability (e.g., low-carbon ingredients), and cultural continuity (e.g., traditional techniques)—are embedded in Japanese home cooking. Unlike macro-level consumption or nutrition data, this dish-level approach reveals how individual dishes embody sustainability through ingredient selection, preparation methods, and cultural logic. Results: Quantitatively, pork (33.3%) and seafood (19.2%) together dominated main protein sources, with minimal beef (2.5%) and a notable presence of soy-based foods (12.5%), supporting lower reliance on environmentally intensive red meat; mean salt content per person in main dishes was 2.16 ± 1.09 g (28.9% for men, 33.3% for women of Japan’s daily salt targets), while recipe patterns emphasizing fermentation and seasonal alignment highlight possible pathways through which Japanese dietary practices can be considered ecologically efficient. Simultaneously, the analysis identifies emerging challenges, encompassing environmental issues such as overfishing and public health concerns like excessive sodium consumption. Conclusions: By centering dishes as culturally meaningful units, and using media recipes as reproducible, representative datasets for monitoring dietary change, this approach offers a reproducible framework for assessing dietary sustainability in evolving global food systems. Full article

Anthropogenic warming of the world’s oceans is not just an environmental crisis, but may result in a significant threat to human health. The combination of a warming ocean and increased human activity in coastal waters sets the stage for increased pathogenic Vibrio–human interaction. Warming patterns due to climate change have already been related to the emergence of Vibrio outbreaks in temperate and cold regions. Seafoods, including seaweeds, are uniquely poised to contribute to global food and nutrition security. In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in seaweeds due to their many uses, high nutritional value, and ability to provide ecosystem services such as habitat provision, carbon and nutrient uptake, and coastal protection. However, some seaweed species can be a reservoir for harbouring pathogenic Vibrio, and illnesses like gastroenteritis have recently been associated with foods prepared with seaweeds. In this study, we investigated the impact of elevated water temperatures on abundances of the major human pathogens Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus/cholerae on seaweed and in coastal waters. Three seaweed species, Fucus serratus, Palmaria palmata, and Ulva spp., were exposed to temperature treatments (16 °C and 20 °C) to assess the effects of mean-temperature rise on Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus/cholerae colonisation. Colony-forming units (CFUs) on seaweed surfaces and in surrounding water were counted. F. serratus and P. palmata showed significantly higher Vibrio abundances at higher temperatures compared with Ulva spp.; however, temperature did not significantly affect abundances of tested Vibrio species in surrounding waters. These results indicate that certain seaweed species may serve as major hotspots for human pathogenic bacteria in warmer conditions, with implications for human health. Full article

Global marine coastal aquaculture increased by 6.7 million tons in 2024, with whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) dominating crustacean production. However, reliance on a single species raises sustainability concerns, particularly in the face of climate change. Diversifying shrimp farming by cultivating native species, such as the European brown shrimp (Crangon crangon), presents an opportunity to develop a sustainable blue bioeconomy in Europe. C. crangon holds significant commercial value, yet overexploitation has led to population declines. Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) offers a viable solution by utilizing fish farm wastewater as a nutrient source, reducing both costs and environmental impact. Research efforts in Germany and other European nations are exploring IMTA’s potential by co-culturing shrimp with species like sea bream, sea bass, and salmon. The physiological adaptability and omnivorous diet of C. crangon further support its viability in aquaculture. However, critical knowledge gaps remain regarding its lipid metabolism, early ontogeny, and reproductive biology—factors essential for optimizing captive breeding. Future interdisciplinary research should refine larval culture techniques and develop sustainable co-culture models. Expanding C. crangon aquaculture aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by enhancing food security, ecosystem resilience, and economic stability while reducing Europe’s reliance on seafood imports. Full article

Food security and environmental quality related to food production are global issues that need urgent solutions. Proteins are crucial for diets, and demand is growing for innovative and more environmentally sustainable sources of protein, like vegetables, microorganisms, and insects, and lab-grown food that can meet nutritional and environmental goals. This study analyzes a time series to assess the sustainability of different protein sources by evaluating their effects on emissions of greenhouse gases and the use of agricultural land while accounting for the carbon sink potential across the supply chain. The study also explores future trends in global protein sources, emphasizing shellfish as a key to achieving food security from both nutritional and environmental perspectives. By reviewing terrestrial livestock, farmed seafood, vegetal proteins, and alternative sources like insects and cultured cells, the study assesses sustainability, food security potential, and challenges from nutritional, environmental, and consumer viewpoints. We conclude that shellfish aquaculture, particularly oysters, mussels, clams, and scallops, has significant potential in enhancing food security, fostering sustainable protein consumption, reducing land use, and contributing to climate change mitigation by sequestering significant amounts of atmospheric carbon. Full article

Fisheries and aquaculture play a crucial role in global food security, yet species mislabeling remains a persistent challenge, undermining consumer trust and market transparency. Proper food labeling is essential for protecting public health due to the presence of unknown toxic or allergenic substances and preventing illegally sourced products from entering the market. Despite extensive research across Europe, seafood mislabeling in Croatia has remained unexplored. This study aims to provide the first comprehensive assessment of seafood labeling accuracy in Croatia, where fisheries are integral to the coastal economies and tourism. Using DNA barcoding of the COI gene, 109 seafood samples were collected over two years from various sources, including restaurants, markets, and fishing vessels, and analyzed for potential mislabeling. Results revealed a mislabeling rate of 3% among fish samples and 20% among cephalopods, with notable substitutions, such as the yellowfin tuna mislabeled as bigeye tuna and Bluefin tuna and the European squid mislabeled as Patagonian squid. Additionally, 38.5% of samples were partially labeled, while 32% lacked clear country-of-origin information, complicating traceability. While the findings align with the mislabeling rates in other European countries, this study underscores the ongoing challenges in seafood labeling compliance. Establishing standardized monitoring protocols will be essential for improving comparability and effectively addressing seafood fraud. Full article

The European Green Deal attaches great importance to sustainability, including food security, which is also linked to food safety. This is particularly relevant in such a sensitive region as the Mediterranean. The goal of this study was to investigate Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notifications of hazards reported in 1997–2021 (a 25-year period) in products from northern Mediterranean countries considering products and other variables. A two-way joining cluster analysis was used. The most notable hazards in the latter years of the reported period were as follows: ochratoxin A and pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables imported from Turkey and ethylene oxide in various products, as well as Salmonella in chicken, Listeria in cheese, Escherichia coli in cheese and mussels from France, mercury in swordfish from Spain, and Anisakis in seafood from France and Morocco. The increasing number of notifications of ochratoxin A and pathogenic micro-organisms in recent years may be caused by climate change. This also results in the need to use more pesticides and the appearance of related hazards, i.e., residues of such compounds in food products. It is, therefore, vitally important that border posts and control authorities in particular European Union countries are vigilant. Full article

The demand for clean-cut seafood fillets has led to an increase in fish processing side streams, which are often considered to be low-value waste despite their potential as a source of high-quality proteins. Valorizing these side streams through innovative methods could significantly enhance global food security, reduce environmental impacts, and support circular economy principles. This study evaluates the environmental sustainability of protein recovery from herring, salmon, and cod side streams using pH-shift technology, a method that uses acid or alkaline solubilization followed by isoelectric precipitation to determine its viability as a sustainable alternative to conventional enzymatic hydrolysis. Through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), five key environmental impact categories were analyzed: carbon footprint, acidification, freshwater eutrophication, water use, and cumulative energy demand, based on a functional unit of 1 kg of the protein ingredient (80% moisture). The results indicate that sodium hydroxide (NaOH) use is the dominant environmental impact driver across the categories, while energy sourcing also significantly affects outcomes. Compared to conventional fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) production, pH-shift technology achieves substantial reductions in carbon footprint, acidification, and water use, exceeding 95%, highlighting its potential for lower environmental impacts. The sensitivity analyses revealed that renewable energy integration could further enhance sustainability. Conducted at a pilot scale, this study provides crucial insights into optimizing fish side stream processing through pH-shift technology, marking a step toward more sustainable seafood production and reinforcing the value of renewable energy and chemical efficiency in reducing environmental impacts. Future work should address scaling up, valorizing residual fractions, and expanding comparisons with alternative technologies to enhance sustainability and circularity. Full article