Why global food systems need to transform

Working towards a world with secure and sustainable food systems 

On a global scale, food systems are facing multiple challenges. The way food is produced, processed, packaged, distributed and consumed hinders food security and harms the planet. Climate-related challenges such as scarcity, soil erosion and drought are leading to reduced food production, and supply chains are experiencing disruptions caused by COVID-19. 

At the same time, many countries are experiencing the double burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition coexists with being overweight, obesity and other diet-related diseases. Add to this the projected population growth, where it is expected we will reach 9.7 billion⁵ people by 2050, and the demand for safe, nutritious food escalates.

Food loss and waste remains a challenge 

Despite the challenges with food accessibility, one-third of the food produced is lost or wasted.⁶ Food loss mainly occurs during production or because food is discarded and never gets packaged, whereas food waste can be driven by short shelf life experienced by retailers and unsustainable consumption practices of consumers. 

Food value chains are unsustainable 

Food loss and waste are particularly harmful considering that food systems account for over one third of global greenhouse gas emissions.⁷ The emissions produced by the processes involved in food systems are increasing rapidly, especially in some developing countries.⁸ 

As food travels through the supply chain towards its destination, it can also be deterred by the lack of infrastructure in many countries. The lack of ability to get food safely and securely from farms to people’s homes is a driver of hunger in some developing countries. Accessible food processing and packaging solutions can play a role in ensuring that safe and nutritious food is made available in remote areas. 

Future food systems need to become more secure and sustainable 

To address global food challenges, we need to look at entire food systems and work towards making them more secure and more sustainable: The UN says that food security means that all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food; and sustainable food systems mean growing, producing, processing, packaging, distributing and consuming food without exhausting the earth’s resources or negatively impacting the planet.⁹

At Tetra Pak, we want to play our part in moving the world’s food systems forward. With the right expertise, technology and partnerships, we believe we can make a real difference. That’s why we continue to commit to making food safe and available everywhere. And we promise to do that in a way that protects what’s good: protecting food, people and the planet.