Integrating One Health Principles to Enhance Sustainability in Animal-Sourced Food Production

Strategic Insights -

A new report highlights the growing competition between the food and feed sectors due to the increasing demand for animal-source foods (ASFs), straining limited natural resources. Researchers from Polytechnic University Milan propose integrating One Health principles to enhance sustainability in ASF production. This approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The study evaluates the potential of former food products (FFPs) to replace conventional pig feed, resulting in significant savings in land and water use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that using former food products (FFPs) can replace up to 30% of conventional pig feed, leading to 11-42% savings in land and water use.
  • The results equivalent to 5.3Mha of land and 27.6 km3 of water annually, reducing feed imports and increasing local resource availability.
  • The in vivo trial confirmed that FFP-based diets maintain pig growth performance, metabolism, and welfare.
  • The research concluded that FFPs have the potential to align ASF production with circular economy and One Health principles, mitigating global sustainability challenges.
  • The study's findings underscore the environmental benefits of FFPs and their potential to reduce sustainability challenges in ASF production.
  • The research was supported by the European Union's NextGenerationEU under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).
  • The study's authors include Maria Cristina Rulli, Matteo Ottoboni, Michele Manoni, and Luciano Pinotti from Polytechnic University Milan.

Statistics:

  • 11-42% savings in land and water use by replacing conventional pig feed with former food products (FFPs).
  • 5.3Mha of land and 27.6 km3 of water saved annually through the use of FFPs.
  • 30% of conventional pig feed substituted by FFPs, as evaluated in the study.
  • 22.3 (223) (Resources, Conservation and Recycling) publication volume on the study's findings.

Sources:

  • Upcycling Former Food Products In Livestock Diets: a One Health Approach To Prevent Resource-depleting Farming Systems. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2025;223.
  • Elsevier (www.elsevier.com)
  • Resources, Conservation and Recycling (www.journals.elsevier.com/resources-conservation-and-recycling)
  • European Union NextGenerationEU under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)
  • Polytechnic University Milan
  • Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) (https://www.polimi.it/en/dica)