Framework for evaluation of food safety in the circular food system

To minimize food waste, side streams from feed and food production are increasingly reused, promoting circularity. However, this reuse can impact food safety. This study develops a framework for assessing potential food safety issues in circular food systems. The framework involves three steps: (1) describing supply chain changes due to circularity, (2) identifying potential food safety hazards, and (3) prioritizing hazards based on their presence in final foods and health effects. The framework was tested in three case studies: animal manure in agriculture, side streams for insect rearing, and local food production. Results showed that circularity primarily affects hazard presence, not severity, depending on persistence and transfer within the system.

H. J. van der Fels-Klerx, E. D. van Asselt, B. Berendsen, M. F. Focker