3 underestimated sustainability risks to global food supply
Climate change is often at the centre of the sustainability discussion, but these overlooked risks could impact global food supply chains much faster and further than many expect.
Here are three of the most urgent, yet underestimated, sustainability-related risks looming over the world’s agri-food industry.
Climate change fuelling mycotoxin risks with ‘no known solution’
Climate change is adding on a new threat to an age-old food safety problem faced by the food industry, one that could be more dangerous that most people realise
Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced naturally by microfungi that tend to contaminate many different types of common crops from cereals to nuts to spices and fruits, known to cause severe diseases and deaths.
Processed food diet could worsen vaccine side effects
Changes in the microbiome due to diet may have increased fever symptoms following the Covid-19 vaccine
A new study has found that some gut bacteria, such as Lachnospiraceae, produce flagellin, a protein that can activate inflammatory immune pathways and intensify reactions to the vaccine.
Those with greater intestinal inflammation prior to taking the vaccine, or greater flagellin expression (meaning genes were activated to produce flagellin) in the gut, were more likely to develop fever after taking it.
Indonesia formalises halal rules for GM food imports
Indonesia has notified the WTO of formal halal requirements for genetically modified food imports, with additional compliance measures expected to follow
According to Head of BPJPH Ahmad Haikal Hasan, this will be part of the wider national halal management system (SJPH) covering the entire production chain from ingredients, processing, storage, distribution, and product presentation through to consumers.
Could conflict in Ethiopia threaten coffee?
Ethiopia, one of the world’s largest coffee producers, is once again in conflict
In September, conflict erupted once again in Ethiopia. The conflict, taking place in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions, has seen clashes between the government and a seven-group coalition involving the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), reports the Council on Foreign Relations.
It is linked to the Tigray civil war of 2020-2022 between the government in Addis Ababa and the TPLF in Tigray.
