Sustainable protein flows in the food supply chain Methods and applications to include quality and quantity in LCA

Purpose and goal

The aim was to develop methods to relate a food products environmental impact and resource use to its nutritional value. The first method comprised nutritional value in products, and the second a measure of how well a product uses the land´s protein production capacity given the protein quality and quantity. Other goals were to develop communication tools and inform food chain stakeholders and identify further research needs. The scientific goals were accomplished, de communicative goals to lesser extent. Further research needs were identified.

Expected results and effects

The results showed that by using nutritional value as basis, a more relevant description of products environmental performance was acquired. Products with high protein content and favorable amino acid profile (typically animal products) scored better than products with opposite properties (typical vegetable products). The same shift was observed for land use efficiency. The methods can be used within LCA of foods as a complement to presently used methods. Methods development is needed, especially to include more nutrients than proteins, before the methods can be used more widely.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was performed in two main workpackages. The first dealt with the LCA methods development and the second on quantifications, including a study on ruminants´ ability to up-grade protein from feed to products. There has been a close cooperation with six face to face and around 10 telephone meetings in the project. One reference meeting was arranged, where preliminary results were discussed as well as possibilities to make use of results and findings. The work has been well integrated between the different research areas.