The future of the future foods: understandings from the past towards SDG-2

Abstract Food security faces growing challenges due to population growth, resource limitations, economic pressures, and industrialization-induced lifestyle changes. Traditional food systems struggle to adapt, necessitating innovative solutions and sustainable practices to meet future food demands. T...

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Main Authors: Mehvish Habib, Sakshi Singh, Shumaila Jan, Kulsum Jan, Khalid Bashir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:npj Science of Food
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00484-x
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author Mehvish Habib
Sakshi Singh
Shumaila Jan
Kulsum Jan
Khalid Bashir
author_facet Mehvish Habib
Sakshi Singh
Shumaila Jan
Kulsum Jan
Khalid Bashir
author_sort Mehvish Habib
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Food security faces growing challenges due to population growth, resource limitations, economic pressures, and industrialization-induced lifestyle changes. Traditional food systems struggle to adapt, necessitating innovative solutions and sustainable practices to meet future food demands. This review article explores emerging food system models and alternative food sources, including edible insects, seaweeds, plant-based and lab-cultured meats, underutilized crops, hydroponics, and next-generation fish farming. It highlights the role of food processing technologies such as blockchain, biotechnology, and robotics in enhancing sustainability, reducing waste, and improving food system efficiency. Consumer acceptance of engineered and fortified foods emerges as a critical factor in driving these innovations. The review also emphasizes the need for a transformative approach to food production, incorporating innovative technologies and sustainable practices to ensure food security by 2050. A coordinated effort to integrate alternate food sources and advanced processing methods will be vital for achieving a secure and sustainable global food future.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2396-8370
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series npj Science of Food
spelling doaj-art-11af236a7da64db0812ecb2e6fc21a012025-08-20T03:46:12ZengNature Portfolionpj Science of Food2396-83702025-07-019112710.1038/s41538-025-00484-xThe future of the future foods: understandings from the past towards SDG-2Mehvish Habib0Sakshi Singh1Shumaila Jan2Kulsum Jan3Khalid Bashir4Department of Food Technology, Jamia HamdardDepartment of Food Technology, Jamia HamdardDepartment of Food Science & Technology, NIFTEM-KDepartment of Food Technology, Jamia HamdardDepartment of Food Technology, Jamia HamdardAbstract Food security faces growing challenges due to population growth, resource limitations, economic pressures, and industrialization-induced lifestyle changes. Traditional food systems struggle to adapt, necessitating innovative solutions and sustainable practices to meet future food demands. This review article explores emerging food system models and alternative food sources, including edible insects, seaweeds, plant-based and lab-cultured meats, underutilized crops, hydroponics, and next-generation fish farming. It highlights the role of food processing technologies such as blockchain, biotechnology, and robotics in enhancing sustainability, reducing waste, and improving food system efficiency. Consumer acceptance of engineered and fortified foods emerges as a critical factor in driving these innovations. The review also emphasizes the need for a transformative approach to food production, incorporating innovative technologies and sustainable practices to ensure food security by 2050. A coordinated effort to integrate alternate food sources and advanced processing methods will be vital for achieving a secure and sustainable global food future.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00484-x
spellingShingle Mehvish Habib
Sakshi Singh
Shumaila Jan
Kulsum Jan
Khalid Bashir
The future of the future foods: understandings from the past towards SDG-2
npj Science of Food
title The future of the future foods: understandings from the past towards SDG-2
title_full The future of the future foods: understandings from the past towards SDG-2
title_fullStr The future of the future foods: understandings from the past towards SDG-2
title_full_unstemmed The future of the future foods: understandings from the past towards SDG-2
title_short The future of the future foods: understandings from the past towards SDG-2
title_sort future of the future foods understandings from the past towards sdg 2
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00484-x
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