Environmental transparency of food supply chains - Current status and challenges

Abstract

Food chains need to become more sustainable to regain and retain consumer trust after recent food incidents and scandals. One of the key components of sustainability is environmental care. To what extent do supply chains invest in environmental care and to what extent are consumers willing to pay for products from a sustainable production chain? In other words, can environmental care contribute to supply chain value? Transparency of environmental care in the entire food chain is necessary to contribute to increased consumer awareness. Currently, though, transparency is mainly limited to traceability for food safety for human health. In this paper significance and current status of environmental care systems in supply chains and chain actor companies are described. Challenges to be addressed to improve environmental care are identified. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2009.