Food Issues Research Articles

The role of the UN institutional mechanism in ensuring ecological energy

The UN occupies a key place in the system of international organizations, coordinating international cooperation on a wide range of issues of international life. Accordingly, it is not surprising that its role is also important in the regulation of ecological energy.
 The ecological energy sector has become one of the relatively new spheres of international law development. It covers the aspects of renewable energy sources, alternative fuels, ecologically safe mechanisms of using fossil fuels that do not cause excessive damage to the environment.
 Since the 1950s, the UN Economic and Social Council was the first to raise the issue of «new energy sources» in its documents, among which renewable sources were also distinguished. It also initiated the first scientific conference on RES.
 Later, the General Assembly and the UN Security Council joined the process, the first of which initiated the annual holding of UN international conferences on renewable energy sources, and annually adopted resolutions to support RES in the world. In the future, by creating auxiliary bodies, they promoted ecological energy within the framework of sustainable development, such as the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The UN Security Council mainly considers energy issues in their connection with aspects of peace and security, for example, in the field of energy security, or bodies responsible for violations.
 Specialized institutions of the UN system also take an active part in the implementation of the concept of ecologically oriented energy. Suffice it to mention that the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 authorized the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and ICAO to establish sectoral requirements for countering greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with their competence. For ten years, UNESCO acted as the head of the World Solar Program, contributing to the implementation of Kharar Declaration on Solar Energy and Sustainable Development of 1996.
 FAO, as an organization dealing with issues of food and agriculture, has focused its attention on such a segment of renewable energy as the implementation of bioenergy programs. UNIDO focused on energy issues as the basis of sustainable industrial development. It prioritizes three aspects of energy: rural energy for production purposes with an emphasis on the use of RES, energy efficiency and climate change.
 Accordingly, within the framework of the UN, a rather extensive system of bodies and organizations has been created, which are engaged in the implementation of the tasks of ecologically oriented energy. Unfortunately, all these bodies do not have the corresponding specialized competences; they solve these tasks only within the limits of their own competence. Also, currently there is no single body for coordinating the tasks of EOE within the framework of the UN system.

Forming loyalty toward green food: food or environmental issue? Evidence from plant-based food

ABSTRACT This study examines the formation of loyalty toward plant-based food (PBF) by including environmental factors (i.e. environmental concern and knowledge) and the perceived benefits and cost of the food as its drivers. This research employed data from 403 PBF customers, collected via an online survey from the Greater Jakarta region, Indonesia. To appraise the proposed loyalty formation toward PBF, this study used partial least square modeling. The results from data analysis show that incorporating the environmental concern theory and the valence theory offers an improved explanation of loyalty formation toward PBF. Environmental concern, environmental knowledge, and perceived benefits are predictors of loyalty. Additionally, three dimensions of PBF benefits have been identified: physical, social, and psychological. This study suggests that to gain loyalty among PBF customers, managers need to educate customers on salient environmental issues and highlight the benefits of consuming PBF for customers’ health and the environment.

Importance of the Food Issue in Algeria's Economic Policy

The issue of food security has been taken very seriously by the public authorities since the country's independence in 1962. This major social and political concern was manifested in the various political speeches of leaders and in the national charter which proclaims this universal right of the population to healthy, varied, sustainable and accessible food for all. To achieve this, a decisive role was given to the national agricultural sector to ensure the supply of basic foodstuffs to the population at accessible prices, particularly for disadvantaged social groups. Thus, agricultural and agri-food policies were designed and implemented to achieve the objective of food security and preserve national sovereignty. In this article, we will try to provide some answers on the main axes of this food policy adopted by the State. First, we briefly present the characteristics of the consumption model of Algerians, then, we expose the importance of the means and actions implemented to achieve these objectives through in particular the recommended subsidy and import policies for basic foodstuffs. by the state. Finally and thanks to the statistical data available, we deduce some aspects of the limits and constraints of this food policy before suggesting some recommendations to strengthen its reliability in the face of the country's economic constraints.

Food supply in the context of destabilization of the global economy

The goal is to analyze the state of food supply for the country's population in the context of destabilization of the world economy, inflation of prices for goods, primarily food, which in recent years have had a steady growth pattern. Methods – comparative analysis, economicstatistical, cause-and-effect. Results - the main signs of instability in economic situation in the world, their characteristics, main causes and consequences are revealed. The average annual growth rate of agricultural production for 2000-2020, 2020-2022 is shown and their impact on per capita supply of basic products and consumption rates. Comparison of these indicators allows to identify actual level of food support in Kazakhstan for specific years. The authors note that in the last two decades, physiological dietary and calorie standards for certain food products have not yet been achieved. Food security is also determined by the share of imports in consumer demand. Conclusions - it is recommended in the near and medium term to take effective measures to increase main types of products to volumes that will allow to move to import substitution and per capita consumption to the standards of physiological needs. Measures of state support to create favorable economic and organizational conditions for doing business in agricultural sector of the republic are proposed. Resolving food issue is recognized as the highest priority of government policy. The results of the study have practical significance for the organization and management of food supply system. It is important to promote the use of innovative technologies for production, processing, storage and rational use of food; formation of effective system for distribution of raw materials and agricultural products from producers to the final consumer; development of transport and warehouse infrastructure for wholesale trade.

Food and Ayuda Narratives during the Pandemic in Remote and Small Island Communities in Northern Iloilo, Philippines

Food insecurity and access to ayuda, or government-initiated social protection programs, were essential concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. While the needs in urban city centers are fairly attended to by government instrumentalities, the question of how food and survival issues in small and remote island communities are addressed warrants equal attention. In this paper, the people’s narratives in remote and small island communities are investigated to assess how individuals survive and can be subjectively well during the pandemic. Through focus group discussions, three activities were conducted: community map making, Lamesa activity, and ayuda/basket activity participated by representatives from the seven barangays in remote island communities in Northern Iloilo in May 2023. As a result of the FGDs, this paper concluded the following insights: (1) Rice is a key resource as it indicates a household’s food security and subjective well-being at the time of the pandemic, (2) Cash or money in the Ayuda program of the local government is important as it allows households to access food and improve its stock of food supplies, (3) Having alternative financial resources is important as the island communities are mainly dependent on fishing as its core economic activity, and (4) Volunteer work for the community forms part of the people’s subjective well-being despite the limitations experienced with regards to food and financial resources.

Food and You 2: Wave 6 Key Findings

Food and You 2 is a biannual ‘Official Statistic’ survey commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The survey measures consumers’ self-reported knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to food safety and other food issues amongst adults in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Fieldwork for Food and You 2: Wave 6 was conducted between 12th October 2022 and 10th January 2023. A total of 5,991 adults (aged 16 years or over) from 4,217 households across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland completed the ‘push-to-web’ survey (see Annex A for more information about the methodology). The modules presented in this report include ‘Food you can trust’, ‘Concerns about food’, ‘Food security’, ‘Eating at home’, ‘Food hypersensitivities’ and ‘Eating out and takeaways’.

“I Don’t Come Here Just for the Food”: Manifestations of Care in Food Assistance Initiatives

This paper seeks to understand the social role played by food assistance initiatives in Portugal. Based on the understanding that these organizations are “spaces of care,” it is possible to reflect on the support provided by them in a more comprehensive and integrative way. Therefore, the various care practices that emerge in these organizational contexts are explored. This study presents a qualitative comparative methodological approach and a range of ethnographic methods to explore the perspectives of different actors (supervisors, volunteers, and beneficiaries) within different models of food assistance (Surplus Food Redistribution Charity, Soup Kitchen, and Social Supermarket). The main results indicate the presence of several “improvised” and “veiled” care practices in the analyzed initiatives that go beyond food issues. These manifestations of care may stem from altruistic acts and/or function as a “remedial measure,” serving as a compensatory mechanism in response to services deemed inadequate.

Consumers’ Attitudes towards Differentiated Agricultural Products: The Case of Reduced-Salt Green Table Olives

Contemporary healthy food issues and food safety concerns induce consumers to become more interested in a healthier diet such as foods reduced in salt. This study explores consumers’ behaviour, attitude, and expectations for the development of a new reduced-salt table olive product from Chalkidiki, an area of Greek. In this context, the main aim of this paper is to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of consumers about health and nutrition, reduced salt consumption, and consumption of Chalkidiki reduced-salt green table olives. Summary statistics and multivariate analysis were performed to examine consumers’ perceptions. The results of the research highlight a remarkable consumer interest in products with reduced salt content. Furthermore, the majority are willing to purchase such foods which is a possible action that can be taken to reduce salt intake. These outcomes emphasise that producing a new reduced-salt table olive product is promising, as the interest of consumers, industries, and the research community has turned to innovative actions that add nutritional value and meet the consumers’ expectations.

Implementation of the Addie Model in the Development of Quartet Game in Understanding Food Security Issues for Children Aged Nine Years and Over

Food waste is an issue of food security globally that includes crop failure, losses during distribution and storage or food loss, food substitutes for rice, causing nutritional deficiency problems. As part of a modern society that tends to behave consumptively, we must understand food issues so that we are wiser in buying, consuming, and disposing of leftover food. The quartet game with the theme of food security is an educational tool for children aged nine years and over, consisting of 12 themes designed based on the ADDIE Model. This study develops a card quartet for children on the ADDIE (analysis, design development, implementation, and evaluation) model that would help students to understand the food security. Based on research and development (R&D) with the ADDIE model. The intervention study was conducted in a junior high school with 30 students as respondents. The analysis stage includes problems and content. The design stage begins with observing the product and literature and creating a layout design pattern. The development stage is the validation stage with material and media experts. The implementation phase was a trial of playing the quartet game with junior high school students. The evaluation stage is the feedback received from the respondents, and there is an increase in knowledge. Thus, the ADDIE model can be used to develop the quartet of food security issues, and it can be used as an alternative to learning food security issues for children aged 12.
 Keywords: food security, quartet, educational game, ADDIE Model, students

Fergana food and oil snot expansion and problems in production processes

The article presents the history of the reform of state ownership of cocoon industry enterprises in Fergana in the 1918s, their unification into syndicates, and the liquidation of enterprises based on small-scale production. The technical shortcomings of production activities in the cocoon industry, the food industry, problems and issues related to the implementation of established five-year plans are highlighted. Issues such as the use of workers' wages to compensate for technical errors in cocooning industrial enterprises and the introduction of fines for low income are described

Twitter Sentiment Analysis on Halal Food using VADER

The awareness of consuming halal food does not only come from Muslims, non-Muslims also think it is safer to buy halal products. Halal food is not only favored by Muslims but nowadays halal food is increasingly popular among non-Muslims due to several things such as the treatment of animals to be slaughtered, as well as the perception that halal food is much healthier and safer. This research is a study that uses sentiment analysis from a collection of tweets related to halal food. The data in this study were obtained from 2,831 tweets in January 2022. The method used is a qualitative approach with descriptive statistics from literature studies with the theme of halal food. The results of this study include the results of neutral sentiment having the highest percentage of 68%, followed by negative sentiment of 30.8%, and with the smallest percentage with 1.2% positive sentiment. The diversity of the results of this study comes from differences in opinion or due to the pros and cons of the halal food issue.

What constitutes food system resilience? The importance of divergent framings between UK mainstream and local food system actors

PurposeThis paper examines how key actors in the UK food system (FS) understand the role of the local food sector in relation to FS resilience.Design/methodology/approachDiscourse analysis was used to assess and compare the framings of the UK FS in 36 publications released during Covid-19 from alternative food networks (AFNs) actors and from other more mainstream FS actors, including the UK government.FindingsThe analysis shows that AFNs actors perceive the UK FS as not resilient and identify local FSs as a route towards greater resilience (“systemic” framing). In contrast, other food actors perceive the UK FS as already resilient, with the role of local food limited to specific functions within the existing system (“add-on” framing). The two groups converge on the importance of dynamic public procurement and local abattoir provision, but this convergence does not undermine the fundamental divergence in the understanding of the role of “the local” in resilient UK FSs. The local food sector’s messages appear to have gone largely unheard in mainstream policy.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents an analysis of public sector reports focused on the UK FS released during the Covid-19 pandemic years 2020–2021. The corpus inclusion criteria mean that publications during this period which focus on other food sector issues, such social injustices, climate change and health, were not included in the analysis, although they may have touched upon local food issues. The authors further recognise that Covid-19 had a longer lasting effect on FSs than the years 2020–2021, and that many other publications on FSs have been published since. The time span chosen targets the time at which FSs were most disrupted and therefore aims to capture emerging issues and solutions for the UK FS. The authors’ insights should be further validated through a more complete review of both public reports and academic papers covering a wider base of food-related issues and sectors as well as a broader timespan.Originality/valueA comparison of how different FS actors understand the importance of local food, especially in relation to resilience, has not been undertaken to date. The findings raise important questions about the disconnect between AFN actors and other actors in the framing of resilience. Considering the need to ensure resilience of the UK FS, this study's findings raise important insights for UK food policy about the “local food blindspot” and for food movement actors wishing to progress their vision of transformative change.

Use of Probiotics for Preterm Infants: Food and Drug Administration Issues Warnings

Use of Probiotics for Preterm Infants: Food and Drug Administration Issues Warnings

Food and childhood pathologies and social representations among the ewondo of Cameroon

In the Third World, childhood pathologies are associated with malnutrition and, above all, environmental conditions. However, there are pathological foci that are not linked to these two entities. We have a range of morbidities which are the result of the diet of either the mother or the child. These are morbidities considered to be endo-cultural. An approach to pathology that finds meaning and a solution in the perspective of a particular cultural entity, and for which it has its foundation. This is reflected in dietary prohibitions. The relationship between diet and morbidity makes perfect sense here. In fact, we have childhood pathologies that are the result of parents' failure to respect social and dietary prohibitions. In the light of a few examples, we can see how these two particularities of human and child life are linked. Using an ethnographic approach to the issue of food, we relate the childhood morbidities that Ewondo socioculture includes in its childhood nosology to the related perceptions and representations. Childhood illnesses are not caused by the environment or malnutrition, but rather by the culture and its vision of the world and of things.

The changing foreign policy dynamics of GCC States: a study through the lens of positive interdependence

Foreign policy behaviour of the GCC members is changing. The countries are embracing discussion and diplomacy rather than focusing on contention and opposition. They are looking beyond traditional partners and are diversifying their support base within the region as well as outside while expressing interest in being part of multilateral institutions. GCC countries have recognised that securing economic interests is of paramount interest and political leverages and geo-political maneuverings are secondary in the changing world and to that end are engaging with the Asian, African and Latin American economies. Further the countries have understood the significance of non-traditional issues of energy, food, water and environment security along with waste management. The paper is an attempt to study this shift through the lens of positive interdependence. Embracing positive interdependence, the states focus on mutual dependence with an intention to achieve growth and prosperity and propagating one’s national interests without intending to sabotage the interests of the other party.

Sustainable development and zero hunger : A focus on India’s social entrepreneurship initiatives

The study examines global challenges in sustainable development, particularly in food security and achieving zero hunger, focusing on India. It discusses the World Bank’s commitment of $45 billion to address food and nutrition issues and the FAO’s goal to reduce food insecurity by half. The study highlights India’s strategic initiatives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship for economic and social advancement, aligning with the SDGs. It emphasizes the critical role of social enterprises in addressing developmental obstacles and advancing towards zero hunger. The study calls for urgent, coordinated actions to create a world free of hunger by 2030, underscoring the importance of partnerships between the private sector, government, academia, and indigenous groups.

The population of the cities of Tobolsk province (based on the materials of the 1917 census)

On the basis of archival sources introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, the issues of preparation, the peculiarities of conducting the census of the urban population of the Tobolsk province in 1917 are revealed, and its results are analyzed. The census materials were in demand to coordinate the food issue, supply the population with food, the urban economy as a whole, and prepare for elections to the Constituent Assembly and local authorities. In the study of the processes of formation of urban settlements and their transformation, various methodological approaches are traced. In this regard, the modernization theory of social development is of interest, where, according to the concept, urbanization is considered through the prism of demographic processes primarily in cities. The work is based on the materials of the 1917 urban census in the Tobolsk province. To analyze documentary sources, a set of statistical methods was used, as well as historical-genetic, historical-comparative, historical-typological research methods, methods of graphical representation of the obtained statistical data. Based on newly introduced and published sources of population statistics. The author made the following conclusions: despite the presence of general instructions, there are specific features in the preparation and conduct of the census associated with tight deadlines, lack of qualified personnel and other reasons; the results obtained, although they had a number of drawbacks, suggest an increase in the proportion of the alien population, a decrease in the number of males due to mobilization to the front. The author made the following conclusion: despite the presence of general instructions, there are specific features in the preparation and conduct of the census associated with tight deadlines, lack of qualified personnel and other reasons.

Medical School Civic Engagement During COVID-19: Activating Institutions for Equitable Community Response

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) serves the Milwaukee metro area, one of the most diverse and segregated urban areas in the United States. In the acute crisis phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, MCW’s Civic and Community Engagement (C/CE) efforts were leveraged to address community concerns around four key initiatives: (a) availability of personal protective equipment in community; (b) food and housing issues for homeless individuals; (c) the need for multi-lingual, culturally tailored public health information around infection control through work with artists, influencers, and community health workers; and (d) later, addressing vaccination disparities and fears in an equitable way. These efforts were undertaken in collaboration with the City of Milwaukee Health Department, the Milwaukee County Office of African American Affairs, and other external partners. A multi-actor case study approach examined the intersection of Institutions of Higher Education, government, and community—with a particular emphasis on how Schools of Medicine can serve a unique role in bridging these domains to create a more robust framework for equitable, humanistically informed community crisis response. Implications for future public health disasters, as well as institutional civic engagement in response to pervasive, day-to-day problems around upstream determinants of health are explored.

Sertifikasi Halal Daging Sapi Potong Sebagai Upaya Perlindungan Konsumen Muslim di Pasar Rawa Indah Kota Bontang

Indonesia is a country with the biggest amount of Muslim population in terms of adhering to the religion of Islam The issue of halal food is a sensitive issue in society. The government has a huge responsibility to protect the entire society, especially the consumer, ensuring the halal status of the distributed products in the market. The purpose of this research is to learn about the mechanism of halal certification for beef that is done in Technical Implementation Unit of Slaughterhouse in Bontang to be distributed in Rawa Indah Market of Bontang and to learn about halal certification implementation as a fulfillment of consumer rights and obligation of business actor in an effort to protects Muslim consumers in Rawa Indah Market of Bontang. The result of the research is expected to be used as a source of information for Muslim consumers about the halal certification implementation of beef and as an evaluation for business actors to perform their obligation of providing consumer protection. The data is obtained from interviews using unstructured interview method with several informants directly (face to face) and indirectly (WhatsApp). In addition, data collection is done by doing a survey that is filled by 30 participants who are Muslim consumers in Rawa Indah Market of Bontang, survey is done using Google Form. The research methodology used in the study is descriptive qualitative approach. The result of the research is that Technical Implementation Unit of Slaughterhouse in Bontang has done halal certification in accordance with the regulation although there are difficulties in the process of halal certification. The business actors in Rawa Indah Market of Bontang also understand halal certification and implement it by sending cows to be butchered in Technical Implementation Unit of Slaughterhouse in Bontang that is already certified as halal. Muslim consumers in Rawa Indah Market understand halal certification but are not able to determine a product’s halal status without the halal label and halal certificate. Beef sold in the traditional market or modern market comes from halal certified slaughterhouses. The process of butchering follows a standard ASUH concept (Aman, Sehat, Utuh, Halal) in accordance with the Islamic Sharia. Consumer protection is not only the obligation of business actors but also the government entity such as providing socialization about halal certification and consumer protection. The implementation of halal certification and halal label is a fulfillment of Muslim consumers right to get the product they desire.

Food consumption behavior and lifestyle changes among rural older adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern India: a cross-sectional study

Background: Due to COVID-19, the lockdown was imposed throughout the nation on 24 march 2020 and COVID-19 is not over yet, cases are still coming. Food insecurity was already a problem but it became even more challenging during the pandemic. Especially rural older adult people have had to deal with the problem of food and health-related issues due to the pandemic. This study aimed to assess food consumption behavior and lifestyle changes among rural older adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study has been conducted in rural areas of the Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh through personal interviews; a multistage random sampling technique was used to select the participants. 450 participants were taken aged 60 and above for final analysis. The McNemar and Wilcoxon sign rank tests were used to examine differences before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, adopting the statistical significance of p<0.05. Results: 66.0% of people faced a shortage of food. 40.9% of people reported that they had reduced their food intake. 27.6% of participants reported a reduction in body weight. There was a significant percentage decrease in consumption of milk products, pulse, and green vegetables (p<0.001), a percentage decrease in initiating and maintaining sleep (p<0.001), and worse health conditions (p<0.001). Conclusions: Food consumption behavior and lifestyles have changed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic among rural older adults.