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To support a wide range of research activities that contribute to achieving the SDGs, the Social Engagement Fund (SEF) program was launched in July of 2018. Students and researchers around the world were called to submit research and project proposals that emphasized implementing and evaluating the impact of the SDGs, which can also result in tangible outputs on top of knowledge alone. The entries were screened by a number of expert panels.

A Study on the Sustainability of Alternative Foods through Food Upcycling and the Promotion of Perception

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Keyword : Food Upcycling, Alternative Food, Food Security, Zero Waste, ESG

Date : 2023-07-27 | Read : 19,555

Since the climate crisis has been aggravating, people are more and more interested in environmentally friendly and sustainable industries than ever before. Likewise, the food industry is making great efforts to solve the problems of food by-products and food waste. More than 30% of food produced each year is wasted, which negatively affects food security, financial loss, and the environment. Following are the expected effects of research on the sustainability of alternative foods through food upcycling.

1. Improve environmental challenges: Zero Waste & Zero Hunger

The term "zero waste" focuses on encouraging all products to be reused, including food by-products. Food upcycling leads to reducing food waste by converting waste into new products. It is a solution that perfectly fits the SDG's 12th goal of "sustainable consumption and production" and all meets environmental, economic standards and nutritional value.

The term "zero hunger" focuses on ending world hunger. Food upcycling can reduce food loss within the food supply chain by recreating food by-products or waste that is discarded due to low marketability. This can contribute to ending hunger by improving food accessibility, and is in line with the SDG's second objective of ending hunger, improving food security and nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.

2. Improving consumer interest and awareness of upcycled food

Although a survey on consumer interest in upcycled food is not currently conducted, consumer awareness of upcycled food seems to be still low. Thus various on-site and virtual events, lectures, and data distribution should be held to improve consumer awareness. In addition, in order for the food upcycling industry and processing process technology to develop, it is necessary to draw continuous consumer attention.