Sustainability transition in the agrifood system: a systematic review focused on food loss and waste

The transition of socio-technical systems has received growing attention in the literature on sustainability. Specifically, a more sustainable way to produce and consume is being discussed in the context of agrifood systems. This transition is relevant because society faces a paradox: on the one hand, the amount of food loss and waste (FLW) is significant; on the other hand, a sizeable portion of the world's population goes hungry. There is, therefore, an urgent need for a transition to a more sustainable production and consumption model. Considering the studies on sustainability transition and the FLW issue, this study intends to analyze scientific productions about the subject. The literature search comprised the databases Emerald, Sage, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library. The results indicate that studies on sustainability transition in agrifood systems are scarce in terms of observing FLW. Thus, it is possible to expand knowledge in the field of transitions and FLW, involving different social actors than those already investigated in the literature selected, and seek mechanisms to face this urgent problem. The existing scientific works reveal an opportunity to advance knowledge in this field and contribute to the literature on transitions.