France, Japan and Canada are the countries with the most sustainable production, distribution and consumption of food, according to a new index measuring the sustainability of the food system, based on nutrition, agriculture and food waste.
The index, published by the Barilla Foundation and the Economist Intelligence Unit, analysed 25 countries, representing two thirds of the world’s population and 87% of global GDP.
These three nations achieved the highest scores in the sustainability index. Their agriculture is the most sustainable, their food waste is the lowest (due to cutting-edge policies to combat waste), and people's diets are the most balanced, mindful of personal health and the planet’s well-being.
France took first place, thanks to its innovative policies for fighting food waste and the balanced diets of its population. Japan and Canada came second and third by virtue of their policies on sustainable agriculture and the widespread adoption of healthy diets.
Italy was in sixth place, with the lowest greenhouse emissions from agriculture in Europe. Its principle challenges relate to over-nutrition. Childhood obesity, in particular, is a growing problem.
Germany, Canada and Japan were rated the best countries for the development and promotion of sustainable agriculture.
India, Nigeria and Ethiopia face significant nutritional challenges, while the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the USA have the highest levels of obesity and food waste per capita.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
