What impact do food insecurity and other disparities have on the consumer and the food system?

Background

The FSA’s mission is focused on protecting consumers and acting in the consumer’s interest. It is therefore essential to understand what influences and drives behaviours across the food system. To act in the consumer interest within food policy and the food system, we must understand and monitor behaviours, changing attitudes and consumer-driven trends, and play our part in supporting safe, healthy, sustainable diet choices for all.

To implement effective policies, we need to understand what consumers think, feel, and do, and how these are changing, as well the differences between consumers, and how these impact on food security, food safety and public health.

Understanding the role of new and emerging markets and business models, and through these, the role food businesses play in driving behaviour and influencing consumer demand, is essential. This includes the development and introduction of novel foods (such as alternative protein sources or genetically engineered foods). 

Next steps

Please contact the FSA Science Strategy, Research and Capability Unit at ari@food.gov.uk

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

FSA Areas of research interest

Related UKRI funded projects


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    Why might this be relevant?

    The project aims to understand and monitor behaviors, changing attitudes, and consumer-driven trends in the food system, which is essential to act in the consumer interest and support safe, healthy, sustainable diet choices for all.

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    The project focuses on co-developing new products, supply chains, and policy frameworks to provide disadvantaged communities with choice and agency over the food they consume, addressing food insecurity and disparities in the food system.

  • Seminar Series on Food Options, Opinions and Decisions (FOOD): Integrating perspectives on consumer perceptions of food safety, nutrition and waste

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    Why might this be relevant?

    The project aims to understand and improve consumer decisions about nutrition, food safety, and food waste, which are key factors impacting food security and disparities in the food system.

  • FIO-FOOD, Food Insecurity in people living with Obesity - improving sustainable and healthier food choices in the retail FOOD environment.

    Obesity levels in the UK represent a key public health issue, with 67% of its population living with overweight or obesity. People living with obesity are more likely to experience a range of health issues including hear...

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    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically focuses on food insecurity in people living with obesity and aims to improve sustainable and healthier food choices in the retail food environment, directly addressing the impact of disparities on consumers and the food system.

  • SALIENT (food System triALs for Impact on Environment, Nutrition and healTh)

    The UK food system is neither sufficiently healthy nor sustainable. Poor diet is the second-leading cause of death and ill health in the UK. The number of food banks in the country is increasing, yet cheaper food is ofte...

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    Why might this be relevant?

    The project addresses the issues of unhealthy and unsustainable food consumption in the UK, aiming to design tools and actions to increase purchasing of healthy, sustainable foods, aligning with the question's focus on disparities in the food system.

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  • FEAST (Food systems that support transitions to hEalthy And Sustainable dieTs

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    Why might this be relevant?

    The project aims to support the transition to healthy diets produced by sustainable food systems, collaborating with stakeholders to empower individuals to adopt healthier and more sustainable dietary behaviors, directly addressing the question's focus on food system disparities.

  • Sus-Health. Sustainable and Healthy diets for all.

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