Crisis and Opportunities at the Intersection Between Food, Agri-Bussiness and Health

Abstract

Abstract In the current context, food safety crises often have a direct impact on the health of the European population. Such moments bring chaos and confusion among the population, about food consumption, food systems, the ethics of businesses involved in the agri-food chain, or about guaranteeing their consumers’ rights. Although the level of consumer information has increased in recent years, there is a need for a uniform approach to all topics of interest to them, from quality, cost, authenticity, maintenance of food safety, to contaminants and fraud. Choosing a diet generates multiple effects on the quality of human life. Europeans are concerned about how food products are produced and consumed and which are the short and long-term effects, with attention being shifted from providing sufficient food. However, food consumption patterns of European citizens often have negative health consequences, endangering the future and making it necessary to change the way we feed and consume them. From farms to restaurants, we need to redefine the assumed concept of adequate nutrition in the 21st century: sustainable diets from sustainable food systems.