Editorial BCFNews

22nd April 2012 - "Eating Planet" - Nutrition today: a challenge for mankind and for the planet

“Der Mensch ist, was er isst” (Man is what he eats) said Ludwig Feuerbach in his famous work which appeared in 1862. And still today, 150 years later, the full significance of this aphorism remains intact. But 150 years ago, it was forecast that in our millennium, the agri-food sector would have become just another market without any complex problems – a science that would no longer require any special attention in terms of research and innovation. Yet, today, in an era in which the principles of subsistence economics have seen profound transformation and innovation, the structure of the food supply chain, production models and supply have become increasingly complicated. The number of players involved continue to increase, pressure from a number of different lobbies becomes more insistent and the number of variables which must be taken into consideration continue to multiply, thus increasing doubts and uncertainty about the future scenario. Those tied to food and agriculture “are problems infinitely more complicated and deeply rooted in our economic system and society with consequences that are much more wide-ranging and long-term than the economic imbalances in recent years,” writes Mario Monti in the preface to the 2012 edition of the book Eating Planet. Today's Nutrition: a challenge for man and the planet, published by the BCFN in collaboration with the Worldwatch Institute and which will be available for free download on 22nd April on www.barillacfn.com and from 26th April on the main ecommerce websites. If it is true that one of the weak points of economic and political models throughout the world in the last twenty years has been a drop in attention to these issues, today, Monti suggests that “we need to return to giving food a central role in the international political and economic agenda”. And it is from this perspective of promoting awareness about these issues that three years from its foundation, with Eating Planet, the BCFN is offering a synthesis of what has been developed to-date, creating a point-of-reference in this process, from which further and important developments can proceed. The book offers an especially broad perspective that encompasses the entire agri-food supply chain, from field to table, and describes the main paradoxes (obesity and malnutrition, scarcity of agricultural land and use of fields for the production of bio-fuels, food waste and famine, etc.) with an approach that is rigorously scientific in its content, but written in an extremely engaging style. The book's chapters also include authoritative testimony from world experts – including Vandana Shiva, Shimon Peres, Tony Allan, Ricardo Uauy, Carlo Petrini, Paul Roberts and Raj Patel – who have been asked to comment on the issues highlighted by the BCFN and to suggest potential solutions.

28th March 2012 - "The value of food diversity"

Globalization generates increased opportunity for cultural cross-fertilization and exchange. Although the media tends to place emphasis on how conflict and intolerance that can result from the collision of cultures, the actual situation is much more varied and more often leads to a healthy intermingling of customs, habits and traditions. Some of the best examples of this can be seen in the realm of cooking - which is understandable given that food has always played an important role in bringing people together. One trend that is currently at the forefront of this is the spread across the globe of food that is halal, which in Arabic means “permissible”. These are foods that conform to the religious precepts set forth in the Koran, and everything that is not halal is considered haraam, and therefore prohibited from consumption by Muslims. Among haraam foods, in addition to pork and alcohol, are all meats that are not butchered according to the Islamic rites set forth in the Sunnah holy scriptures. Despite the worldwide financial crisis, the halal food market has grown rapidly in the last ten years, and today is worth more than 660 billion dollars, or nearly 17% of the global food industry (in Europe, halal foods account for about 15 billion per year). This is not only due to an increase in demand from Muslims, especially in Asian countries (Indonesia, China, India and Malaysia) as well as the Gulf States, but is also thanks to new demand from both those who simply love ethnic cooking as well as from those looking for wholesome food products that they can trust the healthfulness of (in order to be labeled halal, each product must undergo rigorous quality certification by a special recognized body). Despite the growth of halal cooking, according to experts at this past January’s International Conference & Expo on the Halal Industry, the availability of halal products around the world is still too limited. Facing a lack of supply, consumers in some Islamic countries have even begun to import their products from non-Muslim countries like Australia and Brazil. On their end, major multinational food companies - such as Tesco, McDonalds and Nestlé - have been quick to take note of the business opportunities offered by this market, and have begun investing in new halal product lines.

1st March 2012 - The first three years of the BCFN: the themes we analyzed and results what we found

Three years have passed since the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN) was established and we believe the results are positive. We have remained committed to a critical, in-depth analysis of agrifood scenarios, and have gained an enhanced understanding of the serious paradoxes that are affecting the world in which we live.

The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition has decided that we must make our own contribution by researching these issues in depth, in hopes that we may be able to one day change the fact that so many people suffer from hunger, while an equal number struggle with obesity. We must to act in order to stop the excessive levels of consumption that are reducing available resources and damaging viable land. BCFN’s goal this year will be to make a contribute to defining a path that leads to a healthier equilibrium, for us and the world we live in. We will continue to listen and carefully examine the newest scientific studies in order to prepare documents, promote discussion and outline recommendations to bring to the attention of global decision-makers.

In 2011, we focused on biotechnology and GMOs, and the relationship between food and health and access to water. In 2012, we will continue on one hand our analytical study and, on the other, divulgation initiatives, with the goal of continuing to broaden the themes under examination and the target population, both in Italy and abroad. In particular, we will be examining the following four major global challenges: Food waste. Social and economic impact of obesity. Evolution of diet and food habits. Sustainability of the agrifood supply chain.

These four themes will be examined during online debates between international experts, and during meetings with major global institutions. We will also publish our findings and recommendations throughout the year. Our fourth annual International Forum on Food and Nutrition will also focus on analyzing these four topics, and will be held November 28-29, 2012, in Milan.

21st December 2011 - Dear Heads of State and Government…

Over 2000 participants and 58 speakers coming from 4 different continents. These are some of the numbers from the 3rd International Forum on Food and Nutrition which was held in Milan at the Bocconi University on the 1st December 2011. The meeting, organized by Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition, was focused on the great world paradoxes, especially the co-existence of food surplus and hunger. The President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano awarded a commemorating plaque to the event to underline its international importance.  At the end of two days took the stage five students of Istituto Severi – Correnti of Milan, who have turned a letter to the world’s most powerful people with their world view in which they live and their hopes for the future. This is the text that the student have read to the audience:

To the Heads of State and Government; to the leaders and people who are responsible for governing either developing or developed countries, at any latitude and longitude. As citizens and future generations of the third millennium, we keep on watching impotently big contradictions, global paradoxes and social injustices. This emergency is getting worse but our fathers and you, adults who will make us responsible for handling the world crisis, are indifferent to such serious circumstances. All over the world there are poverty and an unequal distribution of wealth; in some developing countries there are food and water shortage and people are undernourished or even starving, while some other countries show overeating, obesity and wastage. Worldwide, around one billion people and children lack access to food and cannot sit at the table and eat. On the contrary, one billion people are overweight and obese. About 20% of the world’s population consumes 80% of the world food production. Every day 5000 people die because they lack access to clean water. On the other hand, water and cereals are used to feed farm animals in order to produce meat and food we probably do not need. We have to think and become aware of these paradoxes. It is a moral obligation and we cannot put it off. As we learned today, effective actions are needed to assure the well-being of all the people and each of us can contribute to the goal. Food access and nutrition should be a priority so we ask the leaders and powerful people to revise their political agendas, to make plans and encourage equal relationships between people and countries. So we could inherit a fair and sustainable Planet. Scientific research and enterprises too have to foster education and information programs to achieve this aim. It is very important to build sustainable models of enterprise because they can play a crucial role in the global market. In order to face the future challenges, we all have to commit ourselves and share the effort. We would like to live decently and not to have less opportunities than previous generations. We ask you to start today to build up the future for us and next generations, because ‘knowing the problems is the first step to solve them’”. 

21 November 2011 - Happiness and welfare to tackle the world crisis

How to measure a country’s well-being? The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition suggests that, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) apart, several different variables are implicated: above all education, welfare, political system and participation. In other words, economic parameters are not enough to depict the state of growth of a country. Beyond the economic data, people’s contentment, a sustainable development at a social and environmental level have to be taken into account too. The third International Forum on Food and Nutrition, organized by Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition, will be held in Milan on 30th November and 1st December 2011 and will focus on the main theme of well-being. Among the speakers, there will be some of the major international experts who will examine and discuss the best strategies for improving food access worldwide. The BCFN evaluated a panel of ten countries (Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, Japan); Sweden has been classed first (7,23 points out of 10), while Greece “cut a poor figure”. You could expect this outcome just considering the present dramatic Greek economic situation. According to the same well-being index, Italy has come seventh. So the political, economic and social systems all together can lead to a crisis and a lack of growth. It is important to try to work out how to allot funds in order to restore the primary role and efficiency of politics and to enjoy again citizens’ trust. UK Prime Minister David Cameron recently proposed an “happiness index” drawn up through a public survey. British citizens were asked to answer a series of questions. Here are some examples: are you satisfied with your partner? Are you pleased with your physical and psychological state of health? Do you have a job? Do you like your job? Are you happy? The aim is to prove that the prosperity of a country does not imply the well-being and productivity of its population. The new challenge is to assess the welfare by different criteria, without leaving out social and environmental aspects.

24 October 2011 - 3rd International Forum on Food and Nutrition

The future of biotechnology, access to food, sustainable diet, the relationship between food and longevity: these are some of the priorities that will be dealt with during the third International Forum on Food & Nutrition, next 30th November and 1st December in Milan. The Forum is organized by Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition and will host a panel of international experts following a multidisciplinary approach to food and nutrition problems. On the occasion of the Meeting a new scientific journal will be presented too. “The Forum – Guido Barilla explains – helps to increase the awareness of the existing situation with regard to nutrition. Companies can no longer disregard the emergencies the world faces everyday such as global food issues. Our hope is that this new approach will lead to the political choices and actions needed to build a better world”. Everyone is invited to the Forum, because the international scene influences individual lives and - on the other hand – each of us can make the world work better. So everyone can attend the event and make his contribution. Among the speakers, together with the BCFN Advisory Board members, there will be Carlo Petrini, Dominick Salvatore, Marion Nestle, Hans Herren, Lucio Caracciolo, Jean-Paul Fitoussi, Jamais Cascio. Moreover, a new member of the Advisory Board will take part in the sessions: M. Reilly, co-Director of the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change Center for Environmental Policy Research. As usual, the Forum will last two days and will alternate a plenary session (on 30th November afternoon and 1st December morning) with thematic workshops (30th November morning and 1st December afternoon). The International Forum is under the patronage of: Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Senate of the Republic, Chamber of Deputies, Ministry of Agricultural Policy, Provincial Administration of Milan and European Commission. Its last edition (2 plenary sessions, 8 workshops, 80 speakers, 1500 guests and 100 journalists) focused on sustainable food systems, the role of biotechnology in food security and food crisis, the new parameters to calculate the index of well being.

6 October 2011 - Access to food

Fostering the productivity of the local agricultural systems and keeping price fluctuations under control are the right ways to give a better future to developing countries. Charity cannot be the answer to a state of crisis, a disaster that in the Horn of Africa is even worsening. The United Nations have defined the crisis which is affecting Somalia as “the most serious humanitarian catastrophe all over the world”. There are 12 million people suffering from hunger and thirst, mass migrations are underway and approximately 750 thousand people are at risk of starvation in the coming four months. Many factors are implicated in this pattern of events. Extending the effects of the drought that has decimated crops, has added the failure of the international early warning systems, which could have limited the severity of the famine. In addition, poor harvests, which are due to droughts; civil war and internal struggles; moreover, an inadequate humanitarian response and many difficulties in reaching the areas where people are most in need of help. But humanitarian aid to Somalia cannot provide a long term solution, although it is necessary. A new international political and economic agenda and a balancing of power are needed. Accessible, safe and sustainable food must be a right for everyone. The world powerful countries have to cover the gap between them and the developing countries helping the world’s poorest populations to achieve economic growth through local agricultural infrastructure and markets. Speculation too poses a threat to developing countries: it is in fact very important to mitigate food price volatility because sudden changes in prices have a negative impact on food security.

29 August 2011 - "MAN IS WHAT HE EATS"

‘Mens sana in corpore sano’, the Latins used to say. In the 19th century, the philosopher Feuerbach did not distance himself from this principle, maintaining that ‘man is what he eats’. We could say that these are two ways to convey the same information: not only food plays a biochemical, fundamental role, but the different methods of farming, distributing food and cooking also affect ourselves much more than we think.
Food models, in fact, influence fitness, lifestyles and psychological wellness too. All of these habits and various facts are interweaving and influencing one another in a vicious circle that can become a virtuous one and vice versa.

This is why we have to point out those food styles that have positive, lasting and constant effects our physical and psychological wellness. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and the first lady Michelle Obama recently launched the new logo of the US 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, MyPlate, which replaced the former USDA icon MyPiramid.

The secret is one simple plate, half filled with fruit and vegetables, a quarter with grains and a quarter with protein from animal sources (meat and fish), while a small circle represents dairy products such as a healthy glass of milk. Michelle Obama underlines that MyPlate is a simple and quick reminder for the Americans to be more mindful of what they are eating at mealtimes and that it is very helpful for all parents.

Food choices, moreover, can support the environmental protection. The Food and Environmental Pyramid establishes a connection between a diet and its ecological footprint. In fact the symbol (one pyramid is inverted) shows that food which are considered healthier and thus recommended are also those with minor environmental impacts. On the contrary, foods with lower recommended consumption levels have a bigger ecological footprint. Fruit, vegetables and cereals, mostly whole grains (rich in fiber and protective compounds), are at the bottom of this model. The next stage of the Double Pyramid consists of milk and dairy products, preferably skimmed and low-fat, together with meat and fish. At the top we find foods that are rich in fat and sweets, to be consumed only on special occasions.

8 July 2011 - Food scares follow one another and media often play a role

Over the last 10 years, food alerts have led to the loss of five billion euros in terms of consumption. Emergencies such as the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, commonly known as mad-cow disease), the Avian Flu, the Chinese melamine-tainted milk, the dioxin scandal in Germany and the recent suspicion on Spanish cucumbers for E. Coli deaths are just some examples. Food health scares continue to occur despite more careful inspections, strict laws on food hygiene and safety and the provision of information to consumers. Consumer fears – whether justified or not – have economic effects and in some cases, can even bring economy to its knees. 

In Italy food control systems are very operative and the security of Italian agricultural and food chain of production is confirmed also by the European Commission Food and Veterinary Office. In view of this situation, why is population panic so frequent? The media is one component because they can be “eager” to report this kind of alarming news and food scares. 

The political establishment has its responsibilities too because they first have to safeguard public health. Complete, proper and responsible information is needed. We don’t have to forget that the alert which is due to media is a very resistant virus. 

Our dietary habits are changing and we need to realize that products of low quality at lower prices are invading the food market. Consumers tend to buy everything that is offered: packaged and even cooked and dressed food, that are light years away from our culinary traditions and eating habits. While such prices are appealing especially in a period like this, ,but if inspections and checks are less careful because of this price politics, food quality and our palate are affected and consequently saving can damage health. 

Big brands can avoid this thanks to the investments they make. The Italian consumers ask for safety and taste: rediscovering the real value and quality of food should be the best answer.

15 June 2011 - Waste overcomes the planet

It is a well-known contradiction but still far to be settled. Somewhere in the world people are malnourished or even starving, while somewhere else they are wasting plenty of food. Every year 1.5 million tons of food that is still fit to eat (equal to 4 billion euros) is wasted in Italy alone. Every day 4,000 tons of food are sent to the garbage dump or to the incinerator and about 30-40 percent of the whole food-producing (equal to 12 billion euros) is yearly wasted. 

These amounts of food are 22 times higher than the quantities that could feed the malnourished populations worldwide, and they would be sufficient for 3 billion people. In his essay “Don’t waste,” Antonio Galdo explains how the wastage of food concerns both the industrial and the developing countries. But while in the southern parts of the world food waste is due to the different steps existing from fields to table (for example backward farming methods and difficult transport network), in the developed countries food waste originates from bad habits as to diet or grocery shopping. 

Each of us should remember that our eating habits and the choices we make have an impact on the environment and particularly on climate. Farm animals, in fact, consume much more calories (obtained from fodder) than those they produce in the shape of meat, milk and eggs, and this leads to a considerable waste of rich soils, energy and water. The ecological footprint of all these elements is huge and the cause is a tremendous waste of resources. Moreover, meat plays a big role in this global problem. The only way to improve the situation and stop this negative trend is to change drastically our dietary habits. Food production is mostly responsible for soil depletion and thus for environmental changes, water usage, overexploitation of fishing grounds and nitrogen pollution. Soil degradation is one of the most serious issues of modern agriculture.  It takes 20 to 1000 years to make 1 cm of soil and the United Nations estimate that wind and water erode the earth’s soil by 1 percent yearly. 

Water footprint is the main driver of the problem. In fact, 70 percent of the water that is used worldwide is directed to zootechnics and agriculture, the products of which serve the purpose of feeding farm animals.

Organizations like WHO and FAO are more and more concerned about the environmental impact of factory farming. It is not easy, however, to convey the message of a tight link existing between soil exploitation and world famine. The scientists themselves suggest changing dietary habits in order to improve the situation. 

18 May 2011 - A Global Economic Food Crisis

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the number of undernourished people in the world neared one billion in 2010. This number is destined to increase dramatically: in the coming decades the earth’s population is forecast to reach 9 billion by 2050.

What are the causes of the food crisis in the current millennium? In 2008, a situation which was already dire worsened due to a record spike in food commodity prices, which made foodstuffs even scarcer.

However, emerging countries, such as China, India, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey as well as developed ones, are now shaping the world economy and determining market prices. The recent Arab uprisings, which began in Tunisia and spread across North Africa, are a significant bellwether of an unpromising geopolitical outlook. If these revolts were purely against tyranny, why have citizens chosen to overthrow their leaders now after decades of despotism?

The global economic crisis undoubtedly had its most negative impact in North Africa and stoked political tensions as the region is the least self-sufficient in food resources and is the number one wheat importer. It is also the geographical area that has witnessed the most significant price rises in the last year. This gives rise to the well-founded suspicion that speculators have moved to cash in, while market volatility has heightened insecurity, further exacerbating an explosive situation. Thus those populations living in poverty and suffering hunger nowadays face not only the consumerism of developed countries, but also the depletion of scarce resources by emerging economies engaged in their drive for development.

In an unbalanced world, now more than ever, we need to re-think food production and distribution systems while at the same time curbing the excesses of the global financial markets.

15 April 2011 - The idea of infinite development and unlimited growth

The idea of infinite development and unlimited growth, the capacity of world markets to self-regulate and adjust themselves independently, has definitely vanished. Today’s scenario is marked by significant demographic changes, major social unrest, scarce water availability and global warming. In addition, worldwide turmoil can accelerate the pace of changes, whereas discontinuity may well offer new opportunities.

Today, sustainability has become a compelling way to operate and grow, by focusing primarily on wellbeing for all people. It is undeniable that, while we cannot stop the evolution of the Planet, we have nonetheless the duty to suggest proposals to interact responsibly with it.

As leading entrepreneurs, we must be actively involved, mobilize resources and provide concrete responses to the main challenges ahead of us. Our sense of responsibility, values and knowledge give us the opportunity to act with a balanced approach enabling us to address such challenges in a comprehensive way. Indeed, we are well aware of the key role food and nutrition play for the future generations.

This is why, in 2009, we decided to establish the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN), a multi-disciplinary think-tank gathering world’s best knowledge and expertise on food and nutrition, in relation to people, environment, science and economy. The primary objective of the BCFN is to provide scientific studies and formulate proposals for international decision and opinion makers.

This is also why we decided to introduce BCFNews, a monthly newsletter aimed to inform about the outcome and results of the BCFN work. Your suggestion to improve this newsletter is important to us in order to identify and analyze needs and aspirations of people so that we can try to foresee the future and better live the present.

We hope that you enjoy the reading and look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Guido Barilla