Abstract
Background: Food security is both a complex and challenging issue to resolve as it cannot be characterized or limited by geography nor defined by a single grouping, i.e., demography, education, geographic location or income. Currently, approximately one billion people (16% of global population) suffer from chronic hunger in a time when there is more than enough food to feed everyone on the planet. Therein lies the Food security challenge to implement an ability to deal with increasing food shortages, caused by a combination of waste and an ever expanding world population. At current levels prediction state that we must increase global food production by 70% on already over exploited finite infrastructures before 2050. Scope and approach: This review paper firstly introduces the concept of Food Security with an overview of its scale and depth in the context of the global food industry. It then highlights the main sources. The readership is then introduced to the key factors affecting food security and highlights the many national and international measures adopted to tackle the problem at both policy and technological level. Key findings and conclusions: Food experts indicate that no one single solution will provide a sustainable food security solution into the future. Collective stakeholder engagement will prove essential in bringing about the policy changes and investment reforms required to achieve a solution. Achieving truly sustainable global food security will require a holistic systems-based approach, built on a combination of policy and technological reform, which will utilize existing systems combined with state-of-the-art technologies, techniques and best practices some of which are outlined herein.
Generated Summary
This review article in Trends in Food Science & Technology explores the multifaceted challenges and technological solutions related to global food security. It introduces the concept of food security, its scope, and its significance within the global food industry. The study reviews the main sources and key factors influencing food security, highlighting national and international measures to address the problem. The research emphasizes that a single solution is insufficient and advocates for a holistic, systems-based approach that combines policy and technological reforms. The review also delves into the current state of the global food industry and the role of global food supply chains, emphasizing the need for stakeholder engagement and technological innovation to achieve sustainable food security.
Key Findings & Statistics
- Approximately one billion people (16% of the global population) suffer from chronic hunger.
- Global food production must increase by 70% by 2050 to meet demand.
- An estimated 1 in 9 people worldwide were undernourished between 2014 and 2016.
- Approximately 795 million people were undernourished in the world between 2014-16.
- An estimated 805 million people were unable to access sufficient supplies of food between 2012 and 2014.
- 60% of hungry people globally are women.
- Almost 5 million children under five die annually from malnutrition-related causes.
- 1 in 7 Americans were food insecure in 2016.
- In 2013, 55 million people (11%) in the EU reported they could not afford a meal with meat, chicken, or fish every second day.
- 31.7% of the Sub-Saharan African population was food insecure in 2017, with projections to remain above 20% by 2027.
- The Asia region had the largest number of food-insecure people in 2017, with 315.2 million individuals.
- The Asia region has a food gap of 10.8 million tons of grain in 2017.
- The U.S. spends up to $218 billion per year (1.3% of GDP) on food that is never eaten.
- The EU-28 in 2012 had an estimated food waste cost of €143 billion.
- Each U.S. citizen wastes approximately 400 pounds (180 kg) of food per year, and in Europe, the figure is 173 kg.
- In the U.S., agriculture and related industries contributed $835 billion to the GDP in 2014.
- Agriculture in the U.S. employed 17.3 million full- and part-time workers in 2014, accounting for 9.3% of total U.S. employment.
- The EU imported close to €60 billion worth of agricultural products from developing countries annually between 2008 and 2010.
- The food value chain in Europe generates added value of €800 billion and a turnover of €4 trillion.
- 46 million people are employed in agriculture, the food industry, and food trade and services in Europe.
- The agricultural and agri-food system in Canada generated $106.9 billion in 2013, which equaled 6.7% of Canada’s overall GDP.
- The U.N. has predicted a 0.96% annual increase in the global population between 2015 and 2030, followed by a yearly increase of 0.63% between 2030 and 2050.
- A 40% increase in demand for meat is expected in higher-income countries by 2050.
- A 69% increase in demand for meat is expected in lower-income countries by 2050.
- The average annual increase of total food production between 1961 and 2011 was 122 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes).
- The U.S. has set a food waste reduction goal of 20% by 2030.
- The European Commission has adopted a resolution to decrease food waste by 50% by 2025.
Other Important Findings
- Food security is defined by the FAO as the condition when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
- The four key dimensions of food security are: food availability, food access, food utilization, and food stability.
- The challenge of food security requires an ability to deal with increasing food shortages for an ever-expanding world population.
- The current model of an ever-increasing population relying on finite resources is clearly unsustainable.
- The onus is on policymakers, governments, industrial practitioners, and each individual to play their part in the food security challenge.
- Global food supply chains represent delicate balances between the transportation of products across the globe while factoring internal considerations such as prevalence of food spoilage and shelf life.
- The application of appropriate processing of food is of critical importance for achieving sustainable supply.
- The sources of food waste vary depending on the food type and geographical location.
- To achieve food security, strategies should adopt a resource-based perspective with a complete evaluation of existing processes.
- The main causes of food losses and waste in low-income countries are linked to financial, managerial, and technical limitations.
- The authors highlight the role of wireless technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) in addressing food security and reducing waste.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The study acknowledges that maintaining the “status-quo” in terms of simply increasing production to meet current needs is no longer viable.
- A single solution is insufficient, emphasizing a holistic, systems-based approach.
- The challenges in implementing a global food security framework are complex, requiring a multi-stakeholder approach.
- The article notes that local or national efforts alone may not be enough to create a significant global impact.
- The study recognizes that various factors, including climate change, food versus fuel debates, and infrastructure issues, affect global food security, which makes finding a solution complicated.
- The adoption of intelligent information systems is particularly elusive for the global food industry.
Conclusion
The review underscores the complexity of global food security, which requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders. The current strategies, primarily focused on increasing production, are deemed insufficient due to rising populations and the depletion of natural resources. The article highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that incorporates policy changes and technological advancements to achieve food security. A shift towards resource efficiency and a circular economy is emphasized, ensuring sustainable production and minimizing waste. Furthermore, the study highlights the critical importance of considering factors such as food availability, access, utilization, and stability. The challenges in the agri-food sector include balancing product price with safety, quality, and demand. The review suggests that addressing these challenges requires innovation and collaboration. The authors stress that food waste is a significant issue, with substantial amounts occurring at the consumer level. A global strategy must address these issues by integrating local solutions, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies, and engaging stakeholders. The authors suggest that achieving global food security demands a balance between production and resource management. The study recommends a resource-based perspective to evaluate existing processes, emphasizing the need for efficiency and sustainability. The importance of communication and transparency within the supply chain, enabled by technologies such as RFID and WSN, is also highlighted to improve efficiency and reduce waste. The ultimate goal is to ensure that high-quality food remains available for future generations through a combination of policy, technology, and stakeholder collaboration.