Thinking About the Future of Food Safety: A Foresight Report

Agrifood systems are transforming to provide safer, more affordable, and healthier diets while delivering just and equitable livelihoods. Climate change, population growth, urbanization, and natural resource depletion are major challenges facing the food and agriculture sectors. Foresight in food safety facilitates the proactive identification of drivers and trends that have implications for food safety and consumer health, the national economy, and international trade. This publication provides an overview of the major global drivers and trends, including climate change, changing consumer behavior, new food sources and production systems, technological advances, microbiome, circular economy, and food fraud.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Agrifood systems are undergoing a transformative shift, driven by the unwavering goal of providing safer, more affordable, and healthier diets for all, while also ensuring sustainable production and delivering just and equitable livelihoods. This transformation is crucial in achieving the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as it seeks to address the complex challenges facing the food and agriculture sectors.

However, the execution of this transformation requires a global perspective, considering the significant challenges that the food and agriculture sectors are facing. These challenges include climate change, population growth, urbanization, and the depletion of natural resources, which further compound the complexity of the situation.

At the heart of agrifood systems is food safety, which serves as a cornerstone for ensuring the well-being and security of consumers. It is imperative that all food safety actors keep pace with the ongoing transformation while also preparing to navigate the potential threats, disruptions, and challenges that may arise. Foresight in food safety plays a vital role in facilitating the proactive identification of drivers and related trends, both within and outside agrifood systems, that have implications for food safety and consumer health, the national economy, and international trade.

Early identification and evaluation of these drivers and trends promote strategic planning and preparedness, enabling individuals and organizations to seize emerging opportunities and address challenges in food safety effectively. In this publication, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) presents a comprehensive overview of the major global drivers and trends that are shaping the agrifood landscape. By describing their implications for food safety in particular and for agrifood systems by extrapolation, the FAO aims to provide a valuable resource for policymakers, academia, food business operators, the private sector, and all individuals interested in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our food supply.

The drivers and trends covered in this publication include climate change, which has profound implications for food production, distribution, and consumption. Changing consumer behavior and preferences, driven by factors such as health consciousness, cultural shifts, and economic developments, are also shaping the agrifood sector. The emergence of new food sources and production systems, such as precision agriculture, vertical farming, and alternative proteins, is revolutionizing the way we produce and consume food. Technological advances, including blockchain, artificial intelligence, and genetic engineering, are providing new tools and solutions for food safety, quality, and sustainability.

The microbiome, which refers to the complex community of microorganisms that inhabit our bodies and food, is gaining increasing attention as a key player in food safety and health. Circular economy practices, which promote the reuse, recycling, and reduction of waste, are gaining traction in the agrifood sector as a means of reducing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency. Food fraud, a growing concern worldwide, poses significant risks to consumer health and the integrity of the food supply chain.

In conclusion, the transformation of agrifood systems is a complex and multifaceted endeavor that requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders. By embracing foresight in food safety, identifying and addressing the major global drivers and trends, and promoting strategic planning and preparedness, we can work towards a more secure, sustainable, and equitable food system for all. The FAO's Food Safety Foresight programme plays a vital role in providing insights and guidance to support this transformative journey.

Dimension: 297 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789251357835