2s2: Food safety issues when closing the loops in food production

Abstract

In attempts to produce enough food for the global population, food production systems have become very efficient in terms of high yields and low production costs, while assuring high quality and safety. However, these intensive food production systems have led to side effects like decreasing sustainability, such as degrading soil, shortage of clean water, the use of veterinary drugs and hormones, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and food waste, amongst others. Recently, these downsides of the intensive production systems in Europe were acknowledged by the European Commission (EC) and - in an attempt to restore the sustainability of food production in the future - the EC now advocates a transition towards more sustainable food production systems. In its Green Deal, the EC describes her policy to achieve sustainable food production: food waste should be reduced, the use of chemical pesticides and of fertilizers should be reduced and by- and side streams should be reused within the food system.