Going green — By Stephanie on November 16, 2009 at 7:51 am

Here in the United States (and in other European countries), labels on the side of food packages break down nutrition facts concerning the amount of calories, fat, carbohydrates so you have a better idea of what you’re putting into your mouth. Regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, nutrition facts are provided to guide people to make (theoretically) healthy food choices.

But what about the carbon footprint of your food? Would that influence your consumer habits?

In Stockholm, Swedish food labels now include the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that were expended in production. The labels are showing up not only in the grocery stores, but also in some restaurant menus around the country.

The plan is to help educate consumers to choose eco-friendly food. Information on the labels will give people an easy way to comparison shop between breakfast cereals, dried pasta, sandwich fillings, and more.

Sweden is the first country to use the climate friendly labels, through the leadership of the Nutrition Department at the Swedish National Food Administration.

The food labeling system is still experimental at this time, and some people have complained about how its difficult to understand the information.

For example, the label on a box of oatmeal in a Stockholm supermarket stated:

“Climate declared: .87 kg CO2 per kg of product.”

Huh?

Yet, supporters of the system believe that it will catch on, and will have an important impact, as people start to realize that the small, daily decisions they make can truly add up to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In fact, experts believe that if consumers choose more wisely based on the new food labeling system and guidelines released by the government are followed, CO2 emissions from food production could be slashed by 25%.

I’m telling you… when you compare the fact that a hamburger is listed with 1.7 kilograms of CO2 emissions and a chicken sandwich boasts only 0.4 kilograms, I think I know the choice I would make!

Sweden’s new food guidelines also instruct consumption of carrots, instead of cucumbers and tomatoes. This is because the latter are grown in heated greenhouses, which obviously require energy! Not surprisingly, red meat is disfavored due to the CO2 emissions associated with raising cattle on factory farms.

The U.S. FDA has seen how clear, effective labeling can provide valuable information for consumers regarding nutrients, calories and dangerous saturated facts. Many restaurants are now publishing calorie counts on the menu, in the interest of full disclosure (or to simply comply with government regulation). As a result, some Americans have changed their eating habits.

It makes perfect sense to also provide comparison figures for the carbon footprint of the foods we eat.

The new Swedish food labels are yet another example of the country’s leadership in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It plans to get the country off of fossil fuels (both for electricity and transportation) by 2030. When a 2005 study showed that 25% of the national per capita CO2 emissions was attributable to eating habits, the government set out to change that result!

A low carbon diet is now on the menu in Sweden. And, while you may not be able to see these Swedish food labels at your local grocery store, you can take into consideration your own food carbon footprint when you make shop and cook. Eat locally-produced food (grown or raised within 100 miles of your home), avoid factory-grown meats, and select organic when possible.

The planet… and probably your waistline too… will thank you!