Why do we need to change

It is now an increasing pressure from consumers, non-governmental and governmental organizations that industrial actors demonstrate sustainability because there is a common consensus that protecting nature and our social well-being is important for our future. The food industry is no exception. Making and integrating effective environmental and social improvement however require a high level of transparency for implementing new strategies harmoniously through the food value chain.  
 

Sustainability into innovative technology development

Integrating sustainability into innovative technology development is challenging because making use of novel technologies and new handling strategies is only half the job. Correct and easy to understand communication as well as economic feasibility is the premise needed to allow all actors to make and take part in environmentally and socially responsible choices. This is not an easy task, but if consumers, non-governmental and governmental organizations communicate and cooperate good sustainable strategies can be set in motion. To this a common language and perception is needed. This is where life cycle thinking, and quantitative assessment comes into play.   
 

Life cycle thinking theory 

Life cycle thinking is an approach that evaluate every action required to provide a product or service. This means that all value chain actors must provide which actions they bring into the value chain of a product or service. Each action can be associated to an impact on nature and in our society and the consequences of alternative actions can be evaluated. Life cycle thinking is therefore an approach well suited to investigate different aspects of sustainability, recommend best practices and support food companies during their decision-making process.  
 

Environmental & social life cycle assessment 

Environmental life cycle assessment (E-LCA) is a well-established method that capture the environmental performance of activities, products and services through it’s the value chain. E-LCA includes all material and energy inputs needed to provide, use and dispose the intended product (i.e. from cradle to grave). Social LCA (S-LCA) is a newer approach for analyzing the social impacts of a product with the objective of promoting the improvement of social conditions and of the overall socio-economic performance of a product throughout its life cycle for its stakeholders.  
 
The environmental assessment of food processing technologies and treated products can lead the companies to understand: 

• How to reduce emissions (to air, water and soil), materials consumption and energy use and thus reduce several environmental impacts, e.g. the climate impact, and  
• How to prolong the shelf-life and quality of the food products.  

 
Social assessments of food processing technology and treated products can lead to: 

• Improved working conditions, and 
• Assure a responsible production of food  

Conclusion 

To conclude, a solid scientific methodology based on the life cycle thinking helps to: 

• Assess the sustainability (both environmental and social) of a food processing technology and treated products, 
• Secure a holistic approach encompassing the whole value chain, and all associated impacts, 
• Provide a common information platform that secures understanding and communication through the value chain, and 
• Increase the trust and the transparency in novel food production.