A large proportion of the work of Formas comprises development of knowledge of natural resources and their sustainable utilisation, and finding new ways to a sustainable social development in town and country. Food is naturally a very important component of this development. What food we eat and how that food is produced are very important, not only for the individuals in society but also for the survival of society itself. The challenge concerns not only the supply of food for Sweden's population, in harmony with nature and the environment, but also, in the long run, the supply of food for the whole world. After the summer, Formas published two books that deal with these issues. One focuses on climate. The other deals with the relationship between water and food (Water and food).
Key concepts
Formas' research strategy for 2009-2012 contains five key research themes. The issue of food can be identified in more or less all of these, but most explicitly in the theme Quality of life for humans and animals. The key concepts for food research at Formas are Food safety, Quality and properties of food – relationship between raw materials, flavour and health effect, Interplay among consumers, food, market and environment.
Nordic cooperation
In this special issue of Sustainability we highlight a selection of the multifacetted research that is financed within Formas' responsibility for food, which also well reflects the prioritised areas from the national research agenda (see the article on the next page). Among others, Formas supports in Nordic cooperation three excellent research environments in the fields food, nutrition and health over the period 2007-2011. Public health is a priority area and it is expected that the programme will contribute new knowledge to strengthen dietary information and innovative product development, as well as differentiation within the Nordic food industry.
For humans, food is both a basic necessity for life and a source of pleasure and problems. In the rich world, the basic needs have long been satisfied. Meals play a key role in social life and there is great interest in food and cooking. At the same time, there are problems of affluence such as obesity and diet-related cardiovascular diseases. Food serves as the agent of dispersal for many diseases, and food safety is therefore very important. The food we eat must be safe and we must exercise control over the entire chain from cultivation and animal breeding to processing and intake. Residues of preservatives and other toxicants may occur in both fodder and food, and also in surface and ground water, our most essential basic necessity. Another important factor is how, and in what, we package our foods.
A strategic initiative – a research programme – which Formas ran together with other funding agencies, trade and industry, was concluded in the spring of 2008. The title of the programme is The food market – its growth, profitability and attraction in a more competitive food market. The consumer perspective has been the hub of the research programme, and its objective has been to develop knowledge of factors which influence the attitude of consumers to food, purchasing behaviour and choice of food. This is knowledge that may later help strengthen national competence in the food industry and thus its competitiveness.
Evaluation
There are also plans that Formas will carry out an evaluation of the food research that has been financed so far this century. There is a lot going on, and we are looking forward with confidence to a stimulating year.
Author
:
Lena Strålsjö
is Senior Research Officer at Formas and is responsible for issues to do with food research.