Title of document: Resolving the twin human and environmental health hazards of a plant-based diet

Authors/editor: Kris A.G.Wyckhuys, Alexandre Aebi, Maarten F.I.J, .Bijleveld van Lexmond, Carlos R.Bojaca, Jean-Marc Bonmatin, Lorenzo Furlan, Jairo A.Guerrero, Trinh V.Mai, Hoi V.Pham, Francisco Sanchez-Bayo, Yoshinori Ikenaka

Journal’s name if any: Environment International, Volume 144, November 2020, 106081

Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation:

Year of publication: 2020

Geographic focus: Global level

Main issues/ topics addressed (for example: Fruits and vegetables constitute core constituents of ‘planetary health’ diets…)

School of agroecology (if any):

Web address to original document (if any): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020320365

Summary:

Food can be health-giving. A global transition towards plant-based diets may equally help curb carbon emissions, slow land-system change and conserve finite resources. Yet, projected benefits of such ‘planetary health’ diets imperfectly capture the environmental or societal health outcomes tied to food production. Here, we examine pesticide-related hazards of fruit and vegetable consumption, and list proven management alternatives per commodity, geography and chemical compound. Across countries, pesticide use in these alleged healthful foods is extensive with up to 97% food items containing residues and up to 42% posing dietary risks to consumers…