The advice comes in response to a request from the College of Commissioners to inform the revision of the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy. The SAPEA evidence review report was submitted this morning in Brussels, addressing key policy areas including pricing, availability, composition, and the social and digital environments that influence which foods people consume.
SAPEA, as a part of the Scientific Advice Mechanism, is a consortium of academy networks that includes over a hundred academies, young academies, and learned societies. "We formed a powerhouse of interdisciplinary expertise to deliver a comprehensive report on sustainable food consumption”, says Prof. Antonio Loprieno, the Chair of the SAPEA Board. “This approach is unique in Europe, and we are proud to deliver this evidence to the European Commission”.
The Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to the European Commission - another key part of the Scientific Advice Mechanism, recommend a range of evidence-based measures for promoting healthy and sustainable food choices, including:
- Pricing: There is clear evidence that direct measures are effective. This includes sugar taxes, meat taxes, and pricing products according to their environmental impacts, as well as lower taxes on healthy and sustainable alternatives.
- Availability and visibility: Healthy and sustainable food options are more frequently chosen if they are displayed in prominent places. The advertising of foods which are unhealthy or unsustainable if consumed regularly should be restricted. Voluntary codes of conduct in this area have not been effective.
- Composition: Reducing unhealthy fat, sugar, and salt content, and adding more plant-based alternatives, can be helpful — but only if these measures are mandatory and comprehensive. The evidence shows that past voluntary agreements have had limited effect.
It will be critical to create an environment that allows all stakeholders to work towards the goal of healthy and sustainable food, following fair rules. This approach may also help to overcome opposition from those who profit from the current system, including some large private sector organisations with powerful voices, scientists advised.
The invaluable contributions of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) to this report deserve special mention. The KNAW actively participated in the study and elected Dr. Jenny van Doorn to be part of the working group, contributing to the extensive scientific expertise and ensuring a comprehensive perspective.
By heeding the recommendations provided by these renowned scientists, the European Commission can take significant steps toward a more sustainable and health-conscious food future, benefiting both individuals and the environment.
