Exploring solutions for healthy, safe, and sustainable fatty acids (EPA and DHA) consumption in The Netherlands

AbstractAdvisory bodies such as the World Health Organization and the Dutch Health Council (DHC) recommend including fatty fish in one ’s diet, based on the health benefits of their content ofn − 3 poly unsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid—EPA and docosahexaenoic acid—DHA) being, i.e., the reduction of the risk of fatal cardio vascular disease and stroke. These dietary advices on these fatty acids’ (e.g., fatty fish) consumption are only based on the expected health benefits. But what would a dietary advice look like when the health benefits were weighed up against relevant sustainability and food safety considerations? The aim of the current study was to explore the consequences for safety, health, and sustainability of solutions to meet the DHC’s recommenda tion on EPA/DHA consumption. To this end, first, the health, food safety, and sustainability perspectives of the current fish production and consumption, being the main source of EPA/DHA, were identified. Second, alternative diet scenarios, meeting the daily advised intake of EPA/DHA, were collected and subsequently judged on their health, safety and (environmental) sustainability characteristics. To enable structuring the process of finding solutions for such complex problems, a specific framework was applied: solution-focused sustainability assessment. Based on stakeholder consultation, thre e scenarios were assessed: higher production and consumption of fatty fish (here: farmed salmon); incre...
Source: Sustainability Science - Category: Science Source Type: research