In the LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) database, RIVM compiles data to calculate and continuously monitor the environmental impact of food consumption in the Netherlands. RIVM carries out this work on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.

Selection of food products

RIVM has selected food products from a range of product groups, including meat, dairy, bread, vegetables, beverages and sandwich fillings. These products were selected because they account for a substantial part of the daily environmental impact of food consumption. They are consumed in large quantities in the Netherlands (according to the RIVM Food Consumption Survey and/or have a relatively large environmental footprint. The list also includes food products of particular interest to research, such as processed foods.

Research method used for the LCA database

The figures in the database were produced by means of a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). This involves calculating the environmental impact of a particular food product based on an inventory of all relevant material and emission flows during its entire life cycle. Mérieux NutriSciences | Blonk compiled this Life Cycle Inventory (LCI(Life Cycle Inventory)) on behalf of RIVM.

The LCA maps out the environmental impact of the following environmental indicators:

• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Eutrophication of fresh water and salt water
• Soil acidification
• Land use
• Blue water consumption (water used for irrigation)

Three data sets based on system boundaries

The table includes three different data sets. These sets provide insight into the environmental impact of food products across specific links in the food chain.

• The first is the ‘cradle to consumption’ data set.
• The second is the ‘cradle to distribution’ data set.
• The third is the ‘cradle to retail’ data set.

The ‘cradle to consumption’ set considers the entire food chain up to and including the consumption stage. This also includes the supermarket link and the food preparation and consumption links in that chain, as well as cutting losses, food waste and food preparation. Examples: 1 kilogram (kg(kilogram)) of coffee prepared (including water), 1 kg of spinach prepared (volume shrinks when heated) or 1 kg of pineapple (cutting losses due to peeling).

The ‘cradle to distribution’ set provides insight into the environmental impact of food products up to and including the distribution stage – in other words, up to and including the point where retailers such as restaurants and caterers purchase food products at a distribution centre in the Netherlands. Examples: 1 kg of coffee, 1 kg of spinach or 1 kg of pineapple.

The ‘cradle to retail’ set provides insight into the environmental impact of food products up to and including the retail stage – in other words, up to and including the point where the food product is on the shelf of a supermarket in the Netherlands. Examples: 1 kg of coffee, 1 kg of spinach or 1 kg of pineapple.

Update of the LCA database

Mérieux NutriSciences | Blonk has recently updated the input data of our LCA database and expanded it from approximately 250 to approximately 400 food products. In 2024, the environmental impact of many food products is lower than it was in 2019. This is because the basic data and the calculation methods have been updated. Due to those updates, the data from 2019 and 2024 are no longer truly comparable. Accordingly, RIVM has decided to publish both versions alongside each other.

Here you can read a full description of the data update (PDF)(PDF).