Health FoodPrint

investigates the carbon footprint of different health concepts as they are applied and recommended by experts, scientist and practitioners. We will explore opportunities for optimizing health and the sustainability of meals. Recommendations and practical instruments will be developed and made publicly available.

A sustainability standard for restaurants

31% of greenhouse gases originate from the production and consumption of food. At the same time food related diseases like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are on the rise in most countries.

Currently, different methods are used to identify healthy and nutritious meals. It's hard to work out which one is most appropriate.

Together with scientific partners and stakeholders we investigate opportunities and strategies to apply health and sustainability standards. Through collaboration we aim for fruitful exchange, broad consensus and easy adaptability of health and climate recommendations in restaurants.

Project goals

  • Systematic comparison of health concepts and approaches that are applied in research and by general health recommendations and labels.
  • Meta-analysis of existing literature on the climate, the environmental and our health.
  • Define the compatibility of different health approaches with climate goals by calculating the carbon and "health footprints" of 5000 meals.
  • Strategic collaboration with experts and stakeholders to stimulate debate, improve methodology and foster exchange and consensus on how to combine health and climate recommendations.
  • Develop user-friendly instruments for restaurants and the public, to optimize health and climate impact of their meals.

You are invited to participate

This is a multi-stakeholder project. Scientific partners, experts and stakeholders are invited to come on board to secure quality, stimulate debate and fruitful exchange. Possible involvements range from active collaboration and carrying out reviews, to participation in workshops, or merely being kept up-to-date. Our long-term vision is to build a knowledge consortium on food and, its related environmental and health impacts.

Duration: 1.5.2015-31.1.2017
Project organization: Aleksandra Aleksandrowicz, Eaternity – aaleksandrowicz@eaternity.ch
Deputy: Judith Ellens, Eaternity – jellens@eaternity.ch
Zollikerstr.76, 8008 Zürich, +41 79 560 74 60
Scientific partner: open
Made possible by: Engagement Migros development fund