New EAT-Lancet Report Prioritizes Equity in Global Dietary Shifts
London, UK – A newly released update to the landmark EAT-lancet report outlines ambitious global targets for sustainable food systems, with a key focus on justice and cultural relevance.The report, unveiled this week, aims to guide dietary transitions that are both nutritionally adequate and accessible across diverse communities, marking a significant shift from its initial 2019 publication.
The updated framework addresses criticisms leveled against the original report, which faced pushback from the livestock industry and concerns about affordability and cultural appropriateness. According to EAT-Lancet Commissioner jessica Fanzo, the most distinctive advance of the new report “is its centering of justice.” It seeks to account for cultural acceptability, nutritional adequacy, and accessibility of recommended dietary patterns, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach is unsustainable.
The 2019 EAT-Lancet report sparked debate, with some industry experts questioning the feasibility of meat-limiting diets in certain regions and others raising concerns about the data and modeling used in its calculations.However, a recent examination by the Changing Markets Foundation revealed evidence of coordinated disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting the Commission’s work through social media tactics and misleading health claims.
In response to ongoing criticism, such as that from Quality Meat Scotland regarding potential nutrient deficiencies from reduced meat consumption, the Commission emphasizes that the planetary health diet is intended as a global reference point, adaptable to local contexts. Willett, a member of the Commission, stated the report includes broad goals to ensure a versatile and agile framework.