Sustainable Food Systems in Europe: Policies, Realities and Futures

This article reviews the food sustainability challenges facing the 27-nation member European Union (EU). It describes the evolution of sustainable development policy in Europe against the background of the EU's evolution and diverse membership, with particular reference to agriculture and food. It argues that while sustainability challenges in agriculture have received considerable policy attention, those facing the powerful manufacturing and retail segments of the food industry have barely been addressed. Given the scale and complexity of issues encompassing the food industry and its environmental, social, economic, and health effects, public health analysis and policy auditing should be "rethought" on the basis of an ecological public health perspective.