•Fresh fruit and vegetables contribute to almost 50% of food wasted by households.•Household avoidable & unavoidable waste of fresh fruits and vegetables are estimated for the EU28.•The inedible ...fraction of FFVs causes a “waste floor” of 21.5 kg/p/y which needs to be managed.•13% of purchased FFVs become avoidable waste highlighting the potential for prevention actions.•Large differences in the avoidable & unavoidable waste generation were found across countries.
According to national studies conducted in EU countries, fresh fruit and vegetables contribute to almost 50% of the food waste generated by households. This study presents an estimation of this waste flow, differentiating between unavoidable and avoidable waste. The calculation of these two flows serves different purposes. The first (21.1 kg per person per year) provides a measure of the amount of household waste intrinsically linked to the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, and which would still be generated even in a zero-avoidable waste future scenario. The second (14.2 kg per person per year) is a quantity that could be reduced/minimised by applying targeted prevention strategies. The unavoidable waste was assessed at product level, by considering the inedible fraction and the purchased amounts of the fifty-one most consumed fruits and vegetables in Europe. The avoidable waste was estimated at commodity group level, based on the results of national studies conducted in six EU member states. Significant differences in the amounts of avoidable and unavoidable waste generated were found across countries, due to different levels of wasteful behaviours (linked to cultural and economic factors) and different consumption patterns (influencing the amount of unavoidable waste generated). The results of this study have implications for policies both on the prevention and the management of household food waste.
•36 articles reporting reviews or empirical studies (2016–2018) were reviewed.•Over 80% of studies reported positive outcomes.•A critical discussion on the core shortcomings of available studies is ...offered.
Food marketing strategies constantly use trendy messages, novel displays, colourful floor decals, compelling store arrangements and other environmental triggers to exploit consumers; nudges hold the promise to adopt the same interventions to increase healthier choices. The purpose of this systematic review is to frame the state of the art and research gaps on nudging interventions aimed at increasing healthy food choice. Thirty-six articles reporting reviews or empirical studies performed between 2016 and 2018 were analysed. Over 80% of the reviewed empirical research reported positive outcomes. The work provides insights to further analyse the most promising approaches and critically discusses the core shortcomings of available studies. Finally, future research avenues are highlighted as the need for more replications and scalability of interventions.
In recent years, applications of cold plasma treatments have shown high efficiency in sterilization of fresh fruit and vegetables. With encouraging results, development of this technique focuses on ...influences of cold plasma on the quality attributes of these fresh produce. More studies found that the quality attributes are maintained in an acceptable range or can even be improved under certain plasma treatment conditions. This review provides an overview of the multiple effects of cold plasma on the fresh produce, in terms of physical, chemical and physiological aspects. Besides, the possible mechanisms of how plasma influences these quality attributes is elaborated, which is useful for further modification and improvement of the plasma technology, so that quality enhancement and shelf life extension can be achieved. Future trends in the development of cold plasma technology are also presented. Cold plasma treatment is a potential technology for treating fresh fruit and vegetables to enhance their quality and extend their shelf life. However, knowledge of the effects of cold plasma on the quality changes of fresh fruit and vegetables is still limited. Therefore, there is a need for future studies to understand the mechanisms of plasma effects on controlling the interactions between plasma and food products in order to realize the early adoption of the technology to the food industry.
Background. Low intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with an increased risk of various non-communicable diseases, including major causes of death and disability such as cardiovascular ...disease, diabetes mellitus and cancers. Diets low in fruit and vegetables are prevalent in the South African (SA) population, and average intake is well below the internationally recommended threshold.
Objectives. To estimate the burden of disease attributable to a diet low in fruit and vegetables by sex and age group in SA for the years 2000, 2006 and 2012.
Methods. We followed World Health Organization and Global Burden of Disease Study comparative risk assessment methodology. Population attributable fractions – calculated from fruit and vegetable intake estimated from national and local surveys and relative risks for health outcomes based on the current literature – were applied to the burden estimates from the second South African National Burden of Disease Study (SANBD2). Outcome measures included deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost from ischaemic heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and five categories of cancers.
Results. Between 2000 and 2012, the average intake of fruit of the SA adult population (≥25 years) declined by 7%, from 48.5 g/d (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 46.6 - 50.5) to 45.2 g/d (95% UI 42.7 - 47.6). Vegetable intake declined by 25%, from 146.9 g/d (95% UI 142.3 - 151.8) to 110.5 g/d (95% UI 105.9 - 115.0). In 2012, these consumption patterns are estimated to have caused 26 423 deaths (95% UI 24 368 - 28 006), amounting to 5.0% (95% UI 4.6 - 5.3%) of all deaths in SA, and the loss of 514 823 (95% UI 473 508 - 544 803) healthy life years or 2.5% (95% UI 2.3 - 2.6%) of all DALYs. Cardiovascular disease comprised the largest proportion of the attributable burden, with 83% of deaths and 84% of DALYs. Age-standardised death rates were higher for males (145.1 deaths per 100 000; 95% UI 127.9 - 156.2) than for females (108.0 deaths per 100 000; 95% UI 96.2 - 118.1); in both sexes, rates were lower than those observed in 2000 (–9% and –12%, respectively).
Conclusion. Despite the overall reduction in standardised death rates observed since 2000, the absolute burden of disease attributable to inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables in SA remains of significant concern. Effective interventions supported by legislation and policy are needed to reverse the declining trends in consumption observed in most age categories and to curb the associated burden.
The transition towards sustainable food systems implies the exploration of drivers and challenges for the adoption of innovative solutions by the operators on the value chains. The development of ...innovative approaches is critical to improve the collaboration of different stakeholders on sustainability topics. The Q-methodology combines qualitative and quantitative analysis to navigate subjective stakeholder perspectives, aiming to find shared strategies and enhance collaborative approaches on complex topics. This study employs Q-methodology to investigate stakeholders' viewpoints on reducing food losses in the Italian fruit and vegetable sector, focusing on the upstream phases of the supply chain. The aim is to explore the perspectives of producers, experts, and institutional representatives towards sustainable innovations in food losses prevention and management practices. The integration of technological innovation is described as a key factor, but the adoption process is hampered by structural supply chain burdens. The results enforced the adoption of sustainable technologies by operators, reporting that collaboration can enhance efficiency, quality management, and sustainability during fruit and vegetable production and distribution operations. Innovative solutions to mitigate food losses risk are driven by resource-efficiency network strategies that should imply a positive environmental and social performances. The application of the Q-methodology allows for a deeper understanding of the emerging challenges during the adoption of food loss reduction strategies. The findings reported the significance of collaboration, technological innovation integration, and sustainable practices across the supply chain. This research contributes to the development of effective, stakeholder-supported strategies and informs policymakers in the fruit and vegetable sector about different solutions to mitigate food losses.
•The Q-Methodology revealed four social perspectives, stressing shared solutions and collaboration to reduce food losses.•POs and APOs highlights the role of technological innovation and market-oriented prevention strategies.•Supportive policies and public funding access are essential for promoting sustainable practices among stakeholders.•Co-innovation strategies enhance stakeholder collaboration to reduce food losses in Italian fruit and vegetable sector.
•Consumers of EU countries show similar preferences towards fresh-cut products.•Market split into two segments with opposite preferences towards fresh-cut products.•Income is an important ...segmentation variable in EU fresh-cut market.•Food safety innovations are perceived better than those regarding convenience.•Fresh-cut F&V consumers show high WTP for natural preservatives and quality information signal.
Although there is a long-term decrease in the consumption of fruits and vegetables (hereafter F&V), fresh-cut products, because of their convenience, represent a valid alternative to counteract this negative trend. In fact, the fresh-cut sector is showing positive figures, and innovation in product quality and safety attributes, which are generally valued by consumers. Nonetheless, which product innovations will effectively take place in the coming years? Will they be accepted by consumers? Will they increase the probability of switching from fresh to fresh-cut F&V? Our study, with the help of on-field research, aims at analysing the trending attributes in the fresh-cut F&V industry, and evaluating their impact on segments of F&V consumers’ preferences in terms of attitude and willingness to pay. Therefore, we applied a latent class discrete choice model with an original dataset consisting of face-to-face interviews conducted across EU. Results of the study highlight the similarities in preferences of consumers across the EU countries and the relevance of shelf-life and food safety attributes in orienting choices.
Macromolecular antioxidants or non-extractable polyphenols are an emerging and ignored fraction of dietary antioxidants that present differential structural and physiological features as compared ...with the well-known extractable polyphenols. In this study, the macromolecular antioxidant content and profile were determined by the first time for the 24 most consumed fruit and vegetables in four European countries (France, Germany, The Netherlands and Spain). Results showed that macromolecular antioxidants, made up of hydolysable polyphenols and polymeric proanthocyanidins, are major contributors (mean value 57%) to the total polyphenol content of fruit and vegetables. Macromolecular antioxidant intake from fruit and vegetable determined in the four countries selected was about 200mg. Spain had the highest daily per capita macromolecular antioxidant intake from fruit, while The Netherlands had the highest intake derived from vegetables. Future studies of plant food macromolecular antioxidant analysis and of dietary intakes in different populations are needed to elucidate the contribution of these macromolecular antioxidants to the health effects associated with fruit and vegetable consumption, and with dietary antioxidant intake.
•Macromolecular antioxidants (MACAN) were analysed in 24 fruit and vegetables.•MACAN, commonly ignored, were major contributors to total polyphenol content.•MACAN intake were estimated for 4 European countries (about 200 mg).
•We study a Frequency Rewards Program promoting fruit & vegetable (F&V) sales.•We use real-world retail data for over 268,359 loyalty card holders over 54 weeks.•For reward-redeemers, the promotion ...increased of F&V as well as other foods.•This increase remained after the end of the program, albeit reducing in magnitude.•Simple exposure to the campaign led to small positive or non-significant effects.
Globally, consumption of Fruit and Vegetables (F&V) remains below nutritional guidelines. With retailers accounting for a large portion of F&V sales, marketing can be key to increase F&V consumption at household level. However, a key challenge is the design of strategies that benefit retailers, e.g., improving loyalty, whilst promoting societal goals. This study evaluates a points-plus-cash loyalty program where participants received points by purchasing selected F&V, redeemable against a reward (plush toys in the shape of F&V). We estimate the impact of the program by comparing expenditures in several categories before, during, and after the promotional period, across two different years, and comparing consumers who redeemed a reward and those who did not. We use loyalty card data from a Croatian retailer, containing food expenditure in five categories for 268,359 consumers, over 27 weeks for 2 years. We find that the loyalty program increased F&V expenditures at the focal retailer during the promotional period. However, the increase was only for reward-redeemers, for whom the program increased expenditures in F&V as well as in other food categories. This effect persisted – at a declining rate – after the program stopped. Exposure only had a limited effect during the campaign, leading to a reduction in expenditure after the promotional period. Results indicate that a loyalty program promoting sales of F&V can create win-win benefits to both society and the retailer: it increases expenditures on healthy foods (F&V), while improving overall loyalty (i.e., expenditures) to the retailer amongst motivated consumers.
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This book discusses the following topics related to strawberry production: • Use of horizontal and vertical farming, machine learning and smart systems in strawberry production • Innovative ...techniques in strawberry production • Soilless farming techniques • Use of nature-friendly techniques to combat climate change, diseases and pests • Breeding and propagation by tissue culture • Responses of strawberries to photoperiod • Harvest and post-harvest processes • Benefits to human health We hope this book will be useful to all producers, breeders, and industrial operators who use strawberry products as raw materials in the food sector, and to researchers and students of horticulture.
Cassava is a staple crop in many nations due to its adaptability to a wide range of climates. It has expanded across tropical Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. Cassava, noted for its high ...carbohydrate content, is third in carbohydrate content after rice and maize. Cassava - Recent Updates on Food, Feed, and Industry is the second edition of our previous book, Cassava - Biology, Production, and Use. This new edition has four sections. The first section discusses the perspectives of several countries on cassava, including food security and the circular economy. Due to the importance of cassava in many countries, the second section examines recent biotechnological advances as well as soil management and modifications in the improvement of cassava. The third section discusses disease management and control of cassava plants. Due to its widespread use and industrial importance, cassava has been subjected to biological and technological intervention for processing into food, feed, and other industrial matter, which is covered in the final section. We hope that this book will help readers gain advanced knowledge about cassava and learn from experts in the field with multiple perspectives.
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