The world population grows with the tendency to concentrate in urban areas. Having food for everyone and correct information on nutrients and diet for everyone is included in the global scope of the United Nations Millennium Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Science and technology play a key role. Recently the term 'Ultra-processed' has become fashionable in certain circles related to nutrition. This term is generating a great deal of confusion in certain consumer groups and in the sector of food production, since its interpretation is controversial. This document analyses the reason for this confusion. From a legal point of view, the use of the expression or concept 'ultra-processed' by the political or administrative authorities could be sanctioned. In this context, both the European Commission and national governments could take measures to avoid the use of this expression, the proliferation of which confuses the consumer, influencing their purchasing decisions and legal security. Nor can it be overlooked that those companies, whose products are disparaged to potential buyers by this label, may take legal measures to compensate for the damages and loss caused. ; Postprint (author's final draft)
El presente trabajo constituye la segunda parte de "El Sistema Alimentario Global: I - Definición de un espacio" (2014). Los objetivos de esta segunda parte son: (1) ilustrar y desarrollar la aplicación del modelo formulado en el trabajo anterior, (2) definir índices cuantitativos que permitan posicionar y caracterizar comparativamente el sistema alimentario desde una perspectiva global y (3) formular conclusiones en base al estudio cuantitativo realizado y los índices definidos. En esta segunda parte se aplica el modelo formulado en la parte I al estudio de un espacio agroalimentario, la Europa mediterránea, concretado en cuatro países: España, Francia, Grecia e Italia. El estudio se lleva a cabo con datos correspondientes a 12 variables agrupadas en los cuatro ejes conceptuales del modelo. Para cuantificar la posición relativa para cada variable y cada país, se define la denominada "ratio de posición (RP)" basada en la transformación CLR (centered log-ratio transformation) del Análisis de Datos Composicionales. Esta RP permite caracterizar y comparar la evolución de los indicadores para cada país, permitiendo además extraer conclusiones individuales y de conjunto. Para sintetizar la información dada por las diversas RP de cada variable, se propone el denominado "Índice TRIPTOLEMOS (ITRIn)" en el cual el subíndice n se refiere al número de variables consideradas. Este índice cuantifica la posición global del sistema alimentario de cada país en el entorno estudiado y según el modelo. Para finalizar se formulan conclusiones basadas en el análisis cuantitativo realizado en aplicación del modelo. The present paper is the second part of "The Global Food System: I - Definition of a space" (2014). The objectives of this second part are: (1) to illustrate and develop the application of the model formulated in the previous work, (2) to define quantitative indices that allow comparative positioning and characterization of the food system from a global perspective, and (3) to draw conclusions based on the quantitative study carried out and the defined indices. In this second part, the model formulated in part I, is applied to the study of an agrifood space, the Mediterranean Europe, made in four countries: Spain, France, Greece and Italy. The study is carried out with data corresponding to 12 variables grouped in the four conceptual axes of the model. In order to quantify the relative position for each variable and each country, the so-called "position ratio (RP)" is defined, based on the CLR transformation (centered log-ratio transformation) of the Compositional Data Analysis. This RP makes it possible to characterize and compare the evolution of the indicators for each country, allowing also to draw individual and joint conclusions. In order to synthesize the information given by the various RPs of each variable, the so-called "TRIPTOLEMOS Index (ITRIn)" is proposed, in which the subscript n refers to the number of considered variables. This index quantifies the global position of the food system of each country in the studied environment and according to the model. Finally, conclusions are drawn, based on the quantitative analysis carried out in application of the model. ; Peer Reviewed ; Postprint (published version)
El presente trabajo constituye la segunda parte de "El Sistema Alimentario Global: I - Definición de un espacio" (2014). Los objetivos de esta segunda parte son: (1) ilustrar y desarrollar la aplicación del modelo formulado en el trabajo anterior, (2) definir índices cuantitativos que permitan posicionar y caracterizar comparativamente el sistema alimentario desde una perspectiva global y (3) formular conclusiones en base al estudio cuantitativo realizado y los índices definidos. En esta segunda parte se aplica el modelo formulado en la parte I al estudio de un espacio agroalimentario, la Europa mediterránea, concretado en cuatro países: España, Francia, Grecia e Italia. El estudio se lleva a cabo con datos correspondientes a 12 variables agrupadas en los cuatro ejes conceptuales del modelo. Para cuantificar la posición relativa para cada variable y cada país, se define la denominada "ratio de posición (RP)" basada en la transformación CLR (centered log-ratio transformation) del Análisis de Datos Composicionales. Esta RP permite caracterizar y comparar la evolución de los indicadores para cada país, permitiendo además extraer conclusiones individuales y de conjunto. Para sintetizar la información dada por las diversas RP de cada variable, se propone el denominado "Índice TRIPTOLEMOS (ITRIn)" en el cual el subíndice n se refiere al número de variables consideradas. Este índice cuantifica la posición global del sistema alimentario de cada país en el entorno estudiado y según el modelo. Para finalizar se formulan conclusiones basadas en el análisis cuantitativo realizado en aplicación del modelo. The present paper is the second part of "The Global Food System: I - Definition of a space" (2014). The objectives of this second part are: (1) to illustrate and develop the application of the model formulated in the previous work, (2) to define quantitative indices that allow comparative positioning and characterization of the food system from a global perspective, and (3) to draw conclusions based on the quantitative study carried out and the defined indices. In this second part, the model formulated in part I, is applied to the study of an agrifood space, the Mediterranean Europe, made in four countries: Spain, France, Greece and Italy. The study is carried out with data corresponding to 12 variables grouped in the four conceptual axes of the model. In order to quantify the relative position for each variable and each country, the so-called "position ratio (RP)" is defined, based on the CLR transformation (centered log-ratio transformation) of the Compositional Data Analysis. This RP makes it possible to characterize and compare the evolution of the indicators for each country, allowing also to draw individual and joint conclusions. In order to synthesize the information given by the various RPs of each variable, the so-called "TRIPTOLEMOS Index (ITRIn)" is proposed, in which the subscript n refers to the number of considered variables. This index quantifies the global position of the food system of each country in the studied environment and according to the model. Finally, conclusions are drawn, based on the quantitative analysis carried out in application of the model. ; Peer Reviewed ; Postprint (published version)
The consumption of store brands is increasing in the European Union. In Spain it represents 12.4% of the total food shopping. In order to understand this phenomenon better a consumer study was undertaken using 610 consumers from all over Catalonia. The consumers filled in a questionnaire made up of 32 questions based on a simplified model of the Theory of Reasoned Action of Fishbein and Ajzen. The components included in the model were Past Behaviour (2 questions), Attitudes (5 questions), Beliefs (9 questions) and their Evaluations, simplified Neophobia/Neophilia scale (4 questions) and the importance of the special offers. The salient beliefs were obtained from two previous focus groups: one group of professionals and one group of consumers. The results obtained showed a good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha coefficient) in all the multi-item components of the model except for the beliefs. A non-unitary structure of beliefs was detected, although it does not represent a serious problem since consumers do not necessarily have to show consistent beliefs. Most consumers believe that store brands are reliable, different from the brands of the manufacturer and are good value for money. Their quality perception depends on the store, and in general, when the price is the same, the brand of the manufacturer is chosen in accordance with its higher quality image. In several components of the model a clear consumer segmentation was observed depending on the sex of the consumer. In general, women showed a more positive attitude towards store brands than men. Beliefs were bad predictors of attitude, probably due to their non-unitary structure. The most important component in the model predicting behavioural intention was attitude, special offers also being a significant factor. Based on the results obtained, it seems that consumers have clear beliefs about store brands, but probably at the supermarket they will behave in ways that do not necessarily correspond with their beliefs. ; Peer Reviewed ; Postprint (published version)
The current challenge of agriculture is to ensure sustainability, noting that in the next half century we must produce as much food as in the previous ten thousand years combined. At the same time, we should improve crop resilience, in an unquestionable scenario of climate change. The World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) urges us to achieve food security, which is the situation in which everybody has physical and economic access to sufficient, safe nutritious food at all times, to satisfy their nutritional needs and preferences, in order to lead an active and healthy life. In recent years we have seen an exponential increase in the knowledge of the molecular basis of genetic traits that are important for food production. Some of these technologies have been developed in Europe, and benefit producers from other parts of the world, from whom our countries then import their products for our consumption. It has been possible to increase the micronutrient content of fruit, delay their ripening or incorporate resistance to viruses, fungi and bacteria. Thus, using tools borrowed from bacterial defence mechanisms (CRISPR-Cas9 and derivatives), it is possible to act in a controlled and timely manner on the desired areas of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), as could be the case in the fight against TR4 fungus in the banana. This crop occupies about ten million hectares with an annual production of one-hundred million tons. It is part of the basic diet of four-hundred million people and is cultivated in all tropical and subtropical regions constituting the fourth food crop only behind rice, wheat and corn. No fungicide has been found that allows chemical control of the fungus that remains in infected soils for periods exceeding thirty years, so it is urgent to obtain new resistant varieties. This document aims to sensitize society and legislators about the importance of science and technology, with a sustainable global food system approach (availability, policies, economy and culture) to meet the food challenges of the 21st century. ; Peer reviewed
Technical report ; The current challenge of agriculture is to ensure sustainability, being aware that in the next half century we must produce as much as in the previous ten thousand years. At the same time, we should improve crop resilience, in an unquestionable scenario of climate change. The World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) urges us to achieve Food Security, which is the situation in which everybody, has physical and economic access to sufficient, safe nutritious food at all times, to satisfy their nutritional needs and preferences, in order to lead an active and healthy life. In recent years we have seen an exponential increase in the knowledge of the molecular basis of genetic traits that are important for food production. Some of these technologies have been developed in Europe, and benefit producers from other parts of the world, from whom our countries then import its products for our consumption. It has been possible to increase the micronutrient content of fruit, delay their ripening or incorporate resistance to viruses, fungi and bacteria. Thus, using tools borrowed from bacterial defence mechanisms (CRISPR-Cas9 and derivatives), it is possible to act in a controlled and timely manner on the desired areas of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), as could be the case in the fight against TR4 fungus in the banana. This crop occupies about ten million hectares with an annual production of one hundred million tons. It is part of the basic diet of four hundred million people and is cultivated in all tropical and subtropical regions constituting the fourth food crop only behind the rice, wheat and corn. No fungicide has been found that allows chemical control of the fungus that remains in infected soils for periods exceeding thirty years, so it is urgent to obtain new resistant varieties. The document aims to sensitize society and legislators about the importance of science and technology, with a sustainable global food system approach (availability, policies, economy and culture) to meet the food challenges of the 21st century. ; Preprint
