Early Days of Food and Environmental Virology

In July 1962, the author joined the Food Research Institute (FRI), then at the University of Chicago, to become its food virologist. There was a limited record of waterborne viral disease outbreaks at the time; recorded data on foodborne outbreaks were fewer still. Laboratory environmental (water and wastewater) virology was in its infancy, and food virology was in gestation. Detection of viruses was most often attempted by inoculation of primary primate cell cultures, with observation for plaque formation or cytopathic effects. Focus was initially on enteroviruses and reoviruses. Environmental and food samples had to be liquefied if not already in liquid form; clarified to remove solids, bacteria, and fungi; and concentrated to a volume that could be tested in cell culture. Cytotoxicity was also a concern. Studies at the FRI and some other laboratories addressed all of these challenges. The FRI group was the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for Food Virology for many years. Other topics studied were virus inactivation as functions of temperature, time, matrix, disinfectants, and microbial action; peroral and ex-vivo infectivity; and the suitability of various virus surrogates for environmental monitoring and inactivation experiments. Detection of noroviruses and hepatitis A virus required molecular methods, most often RT-PCR. When it was found that inactivated virus often gave the same RT-PCR signal as that of infectious virus, sample treatments were sought, which would prevent false-positive test results. Many laboratories around the world have taken up food and environmental virology since 1962, with the result that a dedicated journal has been launched.     

Food security and global environmental change: emerging challenges

Most research linking global environmental change and food security focuses solely on agriculture: either the impact of climate change on agricultural production, or the impact of agriculture on the environment, e.g. on land use, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and/or biodiversity. Important though food production is, many other factors also need to be considered to understand food security. A recent international conference on “Environmental Change and Food Security: Bridging Science, Policy and Development for Adaptation” included a range of papers that embraced the multiple dimensions of the food systems that underpin food security. The major conclusion from the conference was that technical fixes alone will not solve the food security challenge. Adapting to the additional threats to food security arising from major environmental changes requires an integrated food system approach, not just a focus on agricultural practices. Six key issues emerged for future research: (i) adapting food systems to global environmental change requires more than just technological solutions to increase agricultural yields; (ii) tradeoffs across multiple scales among food system outcomes are a pervasive feature of globalized food systems; (iii) within food systems, there are some key underexplored areas that are both sensitive to environmental change but also crucial to understanding its implications for food security and adaptation strategies; (iv) scenarios specifically designed to investigate the wider issues that underpin food security and the environmental consequences of different adaptation options are lacking; (v) price variability and volatility often threaten food security; and (vi) more attention needs to be paid to the governance of food systems.     

Feeding livestock food residue and the consequences for the environmental impact of meat

The environmental impact of meat is high mainly due to the feed required by livestock in combination with the impacts of cultivating, transporting and processing of feed crops such as tapioca and grains. Like regular feed crops, livestock also feed on residue from the food industry, such as pulp, scrap and peels. Both types of raw material have different environmental impacts. Feeding food residue to livestock is an efficient way to upgrade a low quality material into high quality foods. In the Netherlands, food residue represents the majority of the feedstock for feed. Distinguishing crops from food residue has consequences for the ascribed environmental impact of meat. This paper separates these two streams using volume, environmental impact and their relevance in meat production. An assessment is made of three food industries (sugar beet industry, vegetable oil industry and potato product industry) that produce the largest stream of food residue, and of the pork industry, as an example of meat production. The environmental impact of food residue-based feed is allocated in three different ways: mass ratio, economic basis, and no assigned burden. We found that the amount of pork produced from food residue is substantial. The environmental impact of food residue-based feed is also significantly lower than grain-based feed. We discuss changes in vegetable and in animal product consumption that influence the environmental impact of pork. It is concluded that the use of current food residue keeps the environmental impact of livestock foods relatively low. However, a further increase in meat consumption would require more feed grains with a correspondingly larger environmental impact because food residues are used up.     

Application of a Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Norovirus and Rotavirus on Artificially Contaminated Food and Environmental Surfaces

Noroviruses and rotaviruses are the leading causes of non-bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. Virus-contaminated food and surfaces represent an important risk to public health. However, established detection methods for the viruses in food products are laborious and time-consuming. Here, we describe a detailed swabbing protocol combined with real-time RT-PCR for norovirus and rotavirus detection on artificially contaminated food and environmental surfaces. Recovery rates between 2 and 78% for norovirus and between 8 and 42% for rotavirus were determined for contaminated food surfaces of apple, pepper, cooked ham and salami. From contaminated environmental surfaces (stainless steel, ceramic plate, polyethylene, wood), recovery rates between 26 and 52% (norovirus) and between 10 and 58% (rotavirus) were determined. The results demonstrate the suitability of the swab sample method for virus detection on food and environmental surfaces. Compared to other methods, it is easy to perform and significantly time-saving, predestining it for routine testing.     

Environmental impact of packaging and food losses in a life cycle perspective: a comparative analysis of five food items

The environmental concern and development issues regarding packaging has for 20 years to a high extent been on packaging when it has become waste. To reduce the environmental impact from the whole food packaging system it is also important to develop the packaging’s ability to reduce food waste. In some cases it may be necessary to increase the environmental impact of packaging in order to reduce food waste. In this paper, the environmental impact of packaging and food losses and the balance between the two has been examined for five different food items. The results show that packaging’s that reduce food waste can be an important tool to reduce the total environmental impact, even if there is an increase in impact from the packaging itself. This is especially true for food items where the environmental impact of the food is high relative the packaging, for example cheese, and for food items with high losses, for example bread. It is important to analyse the risk of increasing food losses when packaging design changes, for example, when the aim is less packaging material, which is the main intention of the packaging and packaging waste directive of the European Union.     

中国消费端食物浪费规模及其资源环境效应测算

食物浪费及其产生的资源环境问题与全球粮食安全密切相关,减少食物浪费逐渐被认为是保障粮食安全的Plan B。消费端是造成食物浪费的重要环节,消费者作为消费端食物浪费的主体,其在消费阶段产生的食物浪费是食物损耗与浪费的主要来源。本文采用直接称重法,在全国典型地区（北京、上海、四川、山东、河南和西藏）获取居民食物浪费的一手数据,首次在全国尺度上测算了消费端食物浪费总规模及其资源环境效应。结果显示：（1）2018年全国居民消费端食物浪费共3432万t,人均食物浪费量67.33 g/d,其中粮食浪费量占比最高（35.44%）,其次是蔬菜（34.83%）和肉类（15.38%）。（2）2018年全国居民消费端食物浪费所占用的生态足迹达6254万hm²,人均生态足迹为448 m²,按中国人均生态足迹1.5 hm²计算,相当于4169万人的生态位被挤占;水产类（39.28%）和肉类（34.22%）的生态足迹占比最大,分别为2456.23万hm²和2140.25万hm²。研究结果有助于推进我国消费端食物浪费的减量化,对于缓解食物浪费的环境影响和资源消耗压力、改善全球粮食安全等方面具有重要的参考价值和借鉴意义。     

Challenges for food system adaptation today and tomorrow

Global environmental change presents both old and new challenges. A far more systematic application of existing science in the entire food chain is essential to meet future food needs. While this is daunting enough in itself, new questions present themselves through changing food habits and global environmental change. The immediate challenge is to adapt plant, animal and food systems to changing temperature, nutrient and water conditions. To develop sustainable food systems in the long term, the paper discusses a set of considerations such as food demand response, resource efficiency, GHG emission limits and provisions to reduce vulnerability. Finally, some factors are presented to reframe the nature of food systems: multifunctionality, globalisation, food and fuel prices, consumer behaviour and state support to food production.     

基于环保型食物包装物设计理念及模型构造研究

环保型食物包装设计首先要树立超前的设计思想,寻找理想的绿色包装技术,减少对生态环境的污染和破坏。环保型食物包装物设计追求绿色生态、回归自然的设计风格,设计无菌、方便、智能、个性化是食品包装的设计追求。研究基于环保型食物包装物设计理念,通过转化包装设计理念,将绿色环保理念贯穿于整个食物包装物的设计中,融合美学、颜色、图形学等艺术元素,提高食物包装物的美学感受的同时,确保包装的环保、低碳、绿色与健康。     

Nucleic Acid Amplification-Based Methods for Detection of Enteric Viruses: Definition of Controls and Interpretation of Results

The most effective methods for virus detection in food and environmental samples are those based on nucleic acid amplification. Complex methods must be applied by the analyst in order to control for false negative results of virus detection assays in those samples that may be contaminated by virus concentrations above the detection level. The verification of analytical results is a necessity and this depends on using an appropriate suite of controls to monitor the efficacy of the critical steps in the method and allow correct result interpretations to be made. We describe the suite of controls necessary for analysing food and environmental samples for the presence of enteric viruses by nucleic acid amplification-based methods. To exclude false negative and positive interpretations of results, the inclusion of this suite of controls will be essential when considering incorporating monitoring of viruses in food or environmental safety management plans.     

Drivers,barriers and incentives to implementing environmental management systems in the food industry: A case of Lebanon

The shift in policy towards prevention and towards making producers responsible for the pollution they cause has lead corporations to limit environmental liabilities through the improvement of environmental performance. The implementation of an Environmental Management System integrates the precautionary and polluter pays principles into a firm's operations and demonstrates commitment to sustainable development. This research aims at assessing the factors influencing the implementation of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System in developing countries taking the Food Industry in Lebanon as a case example. For this purpose, primary data were collected using a field survey questionnaire that was administered to a representative sample of facilities. The results revealed that the food industry is generally more concerned with safety and quality issues rather than environmental issues. Following international food sector trend, improving environmental performance and enhancing company image are the most salient drivers to adopt ISO 14001. The lack of government support and stakeholder demand as well as the fact that ISO 14001 is not a legal requirement constitute the most salient factors hindering the adoption of the standard. Economical and organizational factors are the most significant incentives required to motivate the food industry to adopt ISO 14001. The industry is less likely to voluntarily consider adopting ISO 14001 before acquiring a quality management certification or until ISO 14001 certification gain more recognition in the international food sector. The study defines the foundations for developing strategies, policy reforms and incentive schemes to reduce the barriers of implementing ISO 14001.     

海水鱼类网箱养殖的环境效应及多营养层次的综合养殖

海水鱼类网箱养殖是世界主要渔业国家(如挪威、日本等)广泛开展的一种高密度、集约化的养鱼方式,这种养殖方式在给广大从业者带来巨大经济、社会效益的同时,对环境也造成了不可忽视的负面影响。开展多营养层次的综合养殖(IMTA)是缓解这一环境压力的有效途径,鱼类养殖过程中释放出的二氧化碳、氮、磷等物质,由无机提取单元(大型藻类)来吸收,粪便和残饵等微小颗粒则成为有机提取单元(滤食性贝类)的饵料,较大的颗粒物质沉到海底后,可以为腐食性单元(海参等)提供食物,通过这种养殖模式,最大限度地实现系统内营养物质的高效利用,在减轻养殖对环境压力的同时,使系统具有较高的容纳量和食物产出能力。     

基于生态足迹的中国可持续食物消费模式

随着人们饮食需求的不断多样化,可持续食物消费已成为一个全球关注的重要议题。为了探寻可持续的食物消费模式,重点分析了中国食物消费结构演变趋势及特征,运用生态足迹模型量化中国食物消费结构的环境压力动态变化;基于可持续食物消费的内涵,结合中国均衡膳食和环境的可持续性指标,构建食物生态承载级别衡量标准,并据此建立了符合中国食物消费习惯、满足营养摄入需求、环境压力小的可持续食物消费模式。结果显示：中国食物消费生态环境压力不断增大,1978-2013年中国食物消费人均生态足迹增长了154.49%,2008年出现生态赤字,2013年赤字值为0.0705 ghm²;食物生态承载级别持续恶化,2008年生态承载级别由“较高”下降到“中等”;可持续食物消费模式的构建使得人均生态足迹下降了12.92%,表明转变食物消费模式是解决食物消费生态环境压力这一矛盾问题的最有效途径。     

厦门城市化进程中的居民食物碳消费及其环境负荷

随着城市化进程的不断推进,城市对全球生态系统碳循环的影响越来越显著,其中城市家庭食物碳消费对全球城市生态系统碳循环的贡献日益突出,已成为城市生态系统碳循环的研究热点之一.以厦门市为例,通过分析1988～2010年居民食物碳消费的动态变化和家庭分布特征,评价并预测了由食物碳消费导致的环境负荷.结果表明,1988～2010年全市人均食物消费量和人均食物碳消费量分别下降了6%和25%,但由于厦门市人口的快速增长,食物消费和食物碳消费的总量均不断增加,分别增长了116%和70%.居民食物碳消费总量的增加导致环境负荷量不断上升,由9.88万t增长至16.62万t,特别是进入土壤的碳通量近年来快速增加.预测显示2011～2024年间厦门市居民食物碳消费总量以及环境负荷量仍将继续上升,2025年将有所下降,人均食物碳消费量则从2011年起持续下降.对厦门市居民家庭食物消费的分析表明,家庭户均食物碳消费主要受到家庭收入、食物消费费用、家庭用餐人数的影响,食物碳消费较高的家庭通常平均家庭用餐人数3人、平均食物消费费用约3 125元.月-1,户均食物碳消费为1 134.91 kg,人均食物碳消费量为378.30 kg,高食物碳消费的家庭人均食物碳消费量是低食物碳消费家庭人均消费量的4.84倍.     

中国食物生产消费系统碳素动态变化及其环境负荷

基于物质流原理,分析了1995~2016年中国食物生产消费系统的变化情况,测算并评价了食物生产消费系统碳素流动变化及食物碳消费导致的碳素环境负荷变化.结果表明：食物农业生产系统中碳汇和碳排总量整体均呈上升趋势,且碳汇增速明显高于碳排增速;食物生产系统碳素环境负荷中畜禽养殖产生的碳素环境负荷呈下降趋势,农用物资、农业活动及食物加工运输相关产生的碳环境负荷呈快速上升趋势.食物消费系统中,居民食物碳消费发生变化,居民碳消费结构从“以粮食碳消费为主”的饮食结构转变为“以粮食、肉类、食用植物油碳消费为主”的多元饮食结构,农村居民人均食物碳消费量由95.24kg/（人×a）降低至71.62kg/（人×a）,城镇居民人均食物碳消费量由52.06kg/（人×a）升至65.16kg/（人×a）.分析食物消费系统碳素环境负荷,进入大气的碳素环境负荷占主体地位,其次是土壤和水体,近年来进入土壤和水体的碳素比例增加.分析表明减少食物生产消费系统碳素环境负荷的措施,包括引导居民优化饮食结构,减少生活污水与厨余垃圾产生量,提高厨余垃圾与粪便还田比例,将系统中产生的废弃物内部循环利用等.     

笔谈:食物浪费

食物浪费是我们长期高度关注和社会发展迫切需要解决的问题,如何正确认识食物浪费并尽量减少食物浪费是研究的重点。文章认为食物浪费是一面折射社会文明的多棱镜,需要从多角度认识食物浪费产生的原因及后果,谨防减少食物浪费的努力变成更大的浪费,减少食物浪费要多管齐下,既要节约,又要推进健康饮食文化,借鉴国外研究方法和经验,填补中国食物浪费数据空白,构建资源智慧型食物系统。     

城市食物代谢的动态过程及其水-碳足迹响应——以北京市为例

食物代谢是城市物质能量代谢的基础性过程之一。论文系统分析了1978—2015年北京市城市食物代谢通量、结构和效率的动态变化过程,并核算其水-碳足迹,提出优化城市食物代谢的有效途径。结果表明： 1）2015年北京市食物代谢通量为881.4万t,比1978年增加了3.3倍,其中植物源食物增加了2.5倍,动物源食物增加了12.0倍,由此引发的水-碳足迹分别增加了6.1倍和4.4倍; 2）北京市食物代谢的通量结构和水-碳足迹结构均呈现出主食为主转向主副食替代、植物源食物为主转向动植物源食物并重的演变特征; 3）“过度饮食”特别是高比例肉类消费,不但影响了城市居民健康水平,也显著扩大了城市人均环境足迹,导致食物代谢的生态效率指标从1.27降低至0.32; 4）降低城市食物代谢的足迹影响需要优化产业链供应,倡导绿色健康消费模式。     

Sustainable development and the water–energy–food nexus: A perspective on livelihoods

The water–energy–food nexus is being promoted as a conceptual tool for achieving sustainable development. Frameworks for implementing nexus thinking, however, have failed to explicitly or adequately incorporate sustainable livelihoods perspectives. This is counterintuitive given that livelihoods are key to achieving sustainable development. In this paper we present a critical review of nexus approaches and identify potential linkages with sustainable livelihoods theory and practice, to deepen our understanding of the interrelated dynamics between human populations and the natural environment. Building upon this review, we explore the concept of ‘environmental livelihood security’ – which encompasses a balance between natural resource supply and human demand on the environment to promote sustainability – and develop an integrated nexus-livelihoods framework for examining the environmental livelihood security of a system. The outcome is an integrated framework with the capacity to measure and monitor environmental livelihood security of whole systems by accounting for the water, energy and food requisites for livelihoods at multiple spatial scales and institutional levels. We anticipate this holistic approach will not only provide a significant contribution to achieving national and regional sustainable development targets, but will also be effective for promoting equity amongst individuals and communities in local and global development agendas.     

生命周期视角下2种餐厨垃圾资源化处理方案的对比分析

以唐山和厦门2处餐厨垃圾处理厂为例,利用Simapro软件中IMPACT2002+方法对2种不同餐厨垃圾处理模式作特征化、标准化以及归一化分析。同时,针对不同处理模式的经济效益开展评价。结果表明:案例1（唐山）在水生生态毒性、非可再生资源、陆地生态毒性等13个中点指标环境影响结果占优;案例1（唐山）与案例2（厦门）的总环境影响潜值分别为-26,22.7mpt。因此,案例1的环境效益占优;案例1比案例2的投资回收期更短,经济效益更佳。     

居民食物消费变化引致的环境足迹测算

首先对比分析了2014～2020年城乡居民食物消费结构的变化特征,其次测算了人口规模、城镇化率、人均食物消费量和食物消费结构变化对土地-水-碳足迹变化的影响程度,最后设计了食物现状消费结构S0、发展消费结构S1和更趋近膳食指南的最优消费结构S2三种情景,测算了2025年和2030年3种情景下居民食物消费引致的环境足迹.结果表明:人均食物消费量和消费结构逐渐成为影响环境足迹的主要因素,2018～2020年城镇(农村)居民人均食物消费量和消费结构对环境足迹的平均贡献率分别为51.1%(51.6%)和-17.4%(-13.1%); S1和S2下居民食物消费引致的环境足迹均小于在S0下的值.在S2下环境足迹的减少更明显.在2025年城镇(农村)居民在S2下食物消费引致的土地、水、碳足迹比在S0下减少10.5%(11.5%)、19.6%(17.2%)、12.6%(13.7%);在2030年将减少11.6%(11.9%)、21.0%(16.8%)、13.6%(14.7%).基于分析结果,提出了如何减少食物消费引致的环境足迹的建议.