Webinar preview: A crucial conversation on sustainable nutrition and the planet’s future with KNHI

08 Mar 2024 --- In the complex challenges of feeding a growing global population amid an accelerating environmental and climate polycrisis, sustainable nutrition is emerging as a significant solution. According to the Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute (KHNI), sustainable nutrition refers to the capacity of food systems to supply adequate energy and vital nutrients required for the population’s optimal health, while ensuring future generations can also fulfill their nutritional requirements.

Ahead of KHNI’s upcoming webinar, “Understanding sustainable nutrition,” Nutrition Insight examines this concept with input from Juan Aguiriano, the group head of sustainability at Kerry, who explains how sustainable nutrition emphasizes the production and distribution of nutrition in a manner that is considerate of human health, environmental sustainability and societal well-being.

According to Aguiriano, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) envisions a future where food is both nutritious and widely available to all, with natural resources managed sustainably to preserve ecosystem functions for the needs of both current and future generations.

He also notes that there is a call to action for the food industry to embrace this pivotal moment for positive change and to leverage its collective influence to foster a more sustainable and equitable world.

The great challenge
According to KNHI, experts and several NGOs, food lies at the heart of one of the most significant challenges of our time — namely, figuring out how to nourish a burgeoning population while safeguarding the health of our planet.We recently spoke with Dr. Aoife Marie Murphy, Kerry’s sustainable nutrition manager, on the topic.

At the same time, many experts state that the urgency to find solutions has never been greater. Aguiriano outlines that sustainable nutrition offers a holistic approach that promotes health and well-being, minimizes environmental impact, ensures accessibility, affordability, safety and equity and embraces cultural diversity.

Aguiriano points out that the current global food system prioritizes mass production at low economic costs and often neglects the impact on people, the planet and society. He states that the inefficiency and overuse of finite resources demands industry honesty and reform.

Government interventions
The need for sustainable nutrition is becoming even more essential as several governments are moving to include sustainability in their dietary guidelines.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament has published guidelines for companies looking to validate green claims in light of the upcoming Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition, commonly referred to as the “Greenwashing Initiative.” As the law is meant to take effect in the next two years, understanding how to navigate it is crucial.

According to Aguiriano, by addressing these complex intersections, KNHI’s webinar seeks to illuminate key areas of opportunity where leaders across the food industry can come together to address this critical issue. 

Moreover, KNHI says the webinar will explore the vast potential for enhancing sustainable nutrition through innovations, technology, startups and digital transformation and highlight how these advancements can significantly impact sustainability for the food and nutrition sector.

By William Bradford Nichols