Environmental Impacts/Benefits/Risk of Food Analogues

The introduction of food analogues into our society has been driven by the evolving lifestyles, ethical perspectives, and health concerns of contemporary times. However, as a result of excessive resource usage and the ongoing climate change, we will increasingly encounter food analogues on a daily basis. The food industry is a major contributor to environmental impact, given its substantial size, escalating demand driven by growing populations, significant energy consumption, and substantial waste production. At this point, replacing traditional foods with environmentally friendly alternatives can serve as a viable answer. Nevertheless, when taking into account all stages of production, it is possible that food analogues may not consistently display the anticipated levels of environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The primary objective of this chapter is to comprehensively assess the environmental impacts of food analogues, taking into account both their benefits and their drawbacks.