Global Food Systems (AQA A Level Geography)

The Global Food System

• The global food system encompasses all the activities that are involved in the production, processing, distribution and consumption of food throughout the world

• It is dominated by a small number of TNCs that control everything from seed production to food retail e.g. Nestlé, Kellogg’s and Unilever

• The global food system has significant negative impacts:

  • Environmental impacts include greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, soil degradation, and water contamination

  • Socially, it causes major health problems: More than 800 million people are experiencing chronic hunger while approximately 650 million people are living with obesity

  • It also creates vast amounts of waste: Approximately one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted

TNCs, Food & Technology

• The top ten food TNCs control almost every food and drink brand in the world

• Demand for food has increased substantially due to population growth and development

• Another key factor is the increase in demand for meat with 36% of the world’s grain production being used for animal feed

• TNCs have looked to technology to help them increase production and meet demand

• One example is the use of Genetically Modified (GM) crops which have been developed to increase yield and improve resistance to disease and drought etc.

  • GM crops are used widely in USA accounting for 92% of soybeans, 93% of cotton and 97% of corn

• Another example is the use of advanced irrigation systems to increase water use efficiency, reduce waste and increase yields

  • Drip irrigation applies water directly to plant roots and can reduce water use by up to 60%

• TNCs also use artificial additives in processed foods to improve flavour, appearance and shelf-life

  • Artificial sweeteners are used in low-calorie and sugar-free foods and drinks

  • Preservatives are used in processed meat products such as bacon to extend shelf-life and maintain colour 

  • Artificial colours enhance the appearance of foods such as cereal and baked goods

Trade in Palm Oil

• Palm oil is one of the most widely used vegetable oils in the world – it is estimated that around half of all packaged products sold in supermarkets contain palm oil

• It needs high temperatures and rainfall to grow to put pressure on tropical rainforests which are being cleared to create oil palm plantations

• Indonesia and Malaysia are the largest producers accounting for more than 80% of all palm oil production

• Fires to clear land and create plantations are the main source of greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia

  • Rainforest clearance is destroying the habitat of orangutans, Sumatran tigers and Sumatran rhinos, threatening them with extinction

• Some of the world’s largest TNCs such as Nestlé and Unilever use significant amounts of palm oil in their products

  • These TNCs often get involved in palm oil production and there have been reports of forced evictions of indigenous people from their land to make way for plantations

Sustainable palm oil

• The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was established in 2004 to tackle some of these concerns

• It sets environmental and social standards for producers to meet such as protecting high-value biodiversity areas and respecting the rights of indigenous people and local communities

• RSPO certified sustainable palm oil now accounts for over 20% of global palm oil production, with the largest market being Europe

• Large TNCs have supported the shift to sustainable palm oil e.g. Unilever committed to sourcing 100% of its palm oil from sustainable sources by 2023