Sustainable Practices in Food Systems
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Food".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 14545
Special Issue Editors
Interests: sustainable packaging; recycled polymers; compostable polymers; biobased polymers; food nutrient retention
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue comprises original articles regarding the sustainable development and practice of technologies leading to reducing waste in consumer food systems, consisting of both the food supply chain and packaging materials from farm to retail. One of the fastest growing market segments is convenience ready-to-eat (RTE) food products in both hot and cold applications. RTE products often contain fresh-cut fruits and vegetables which are particularly susceptible to deterioration in terms of appearance, texture, color/freshness, and vitamin content. It is estimated that produce alone accounts for over USD 15 billion in retail losses annually (~9% by weight), equating to meeting the government dietary guidelines for more than 5.3 million people per day. As a result, sensitive food products are thoughtfully displayed in retail environments with well-engineered packaging, modified atmospheres, and specific food formulations (additives/processing). Both food waste and the associated mitigation strategies often lead to increased strain on the Earth’s environmental resources. Packaging comprises one of the largest plastic markets and is one of the major contributors to solid waste in landfills and marine environments in the United States. Additionally, food production (fertilizers, processing equipment, farm practices, etc.) accounts for nearly one third of global green house gas emissions. This places a heavy burden on brand owners, manufacturers, and consumers to consider end-of-life practices and purchasing decisions.
Prof. Dr. Greg W. Curtzwiler
Prof. Dr. Maria Corradini
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sustainability
- packaging
- polymer
- paper
- food
- manufacturing
- production
- life cycle
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