Livestock-derived foods and sustainable healthy diets

Convened by UN Nutrition

Overview

The health and nutrition implications of livestock-derived foods in sustainable healthy diets are complex and highly context-specific. They also vary depending on gender, stage of the lifecycle, commodity and production methods. The new UN Nutrition discussion paper unpacks this complexity and explores the interface between livestock-derived foods, human health and the environment.

Understanding the health benefits and risks of consuming livestock-derived foods, the opportunities and possible trade-offs of sustainable consumption and production, and the potential impact in terms of increasing equity of food systems, are crucial for building consensus on the role of livestock-derived foods in sustainable healthy diets. Furthermore, integrated farm-to-table solutions can support progress towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the importance of the proposed side event and its timeliness as the UN Food Systems Summit approaches.

Event Purpose: The purpose of the side event is twofold: (1) to launch the new UN Nutrition discussion paper on Livestock-derived foods and sustainable healthy diets; and (2) to raise awareness about the role of livestock derived foods in sustainable food systems and their impact on human health and nutrition, including planetary considerations.

Specific objectives are:

1. Share key findings and recommendations from the UN Nutrition discussion paper on Livestock-derived foods and sustainable healthy diets.
2. Highlight relevant experiences and success stories from different regions and countries.
3. Promote policy coherence to support human, planetary and animal health (OneHealth).

Resources:

• UN Nutrition discussion paper on Livestock-derived foods and sustainable healthy diets.

• Key messages.