The Future of Food

Foods. 2024 Feb 6;13(4):506. doi: 10.3390/foods13040506.

Abstract

The global food systems face significant challenges driven by population growth, climate change, geopolitical conflicts, crises, and evolving consumer preferences. Intending to address these challenges, optimizing food production, adopting sustainable practices, and developing technological advancements are essential while ensuring the safety and public acceptance of innovations. This review explores the complex aspects of the future of food, encompassing sustainable food production, food security, climate-resilient and digitalized food supply chain, alternative protein sources, food processing, and food technology, the impact of biotechnology, cultural diversity and culinary trends, consumer health and personalized nutrition, and food production within the circular bioeconomy. The article offers a holistic perspective on the evolving food industry characterized by innovation, adaptability, and a shared commitment to global food system resilience. Achieving sustainable, nutritious, and environmentally friendly food production in the future involves comprehensive changes in various aspects of the food supply chain, including innovative farming practices, evolving food processing technologies, and Industry 4.0 applications, as well as approaches that redefine how we consume food.

Keywords: bioeconomy; biotechnology; food security; food sustainability; food waste; protein.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

Part of the work presented in the present paper received funding by European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, grant agreement No 101136583 (SecureFood project).