Abstract
Global diets have transitioned in recent decades with animal and processed products increasing. Promoting a reversal in these trends towards plant-based diets could reduce the environmental impacts of food systems and reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and malnutrition. In Spain, a reference point for the Mediterranean diet (predominantly plant-source based), plant-based alternatives to traditional animal-based products are receiving increased attention. However, limited focus has been given to the opinions of stakeholder groups on the potential of these novel products. We evaluate the opinions of stakeholders within the Spanish agri-food sector, using multicriteria and SWOT analyses, on traditional and novel food products. Stakeholders involved in the supply chain of food products (producers, processors, and distributors) were critical of novel plant-based foods, highlighting problems with their taste, processing technology, and high prices. These results contrast with the perspectives of policymakers, researchers, environmental NGOs, and consumers who see novel products more positively - healthier, more sustainable, and highly profitable. These results illustrate the more traditional mindset seen in Spanish production systems, contrasting with the rapidly shifting tastes and demands of consumers and the potential legislative orientation of policymakers. This study calls for improved understanding and collaboration between stakeholders to better manage complex choices that affect the future of food systems during their needed transformation.
Highlights
The structure of current food systems has left more than two billion people suffering some form of malnutrition [1]
The present study addresses this research gap by investigating how different stakeholders evaluate plant-based meat alternative food products according to multiple value domains
The combination of Multi-criteria Mapping (MCM) and SWOT analyses has clear synergies and has resulted in an efficient practical planning tool for encouraging the expansion of plant-based proteins
Summary
The structure of current food systems has left more than two billion people suffering some form of malnutrition [1]. These systems are major contributors to deforestation, soil degradation, freshwater contamination, biodiversity loss and climate change [2,3,4,5]. Food productive capacity will have to increase by at least 50% by 2050 to track increasing demand, intensifying competition for land, water, and energy [2]. These developments underscore the urgent need for policies and strategies to
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have