Text in English / Supply chains incorporate “green” principles in their processes to promote environmental sustainability. Through an online survey, this study investigated green supply chain management (GSCM) implementation and employee awareness of GSCM initiatives in five starch and glucose processing companies in Gauteng. Eighty employees working in management and supervisory positions participated in the study by completing an online questionnaire. The research findings indicated that employees are aware of environmental goals and targets, environmental policies, legislation and standards, and green designing initiatives implemented. Employees perceive that collaboration with suppliers and contractors on environmental issues is in place, however, government partnerships are perceived as being insufficient. Benefits of green marketing campaigns and GSCM initiatives have not been identified. The study noted resistance to change, lack of adoption of technology advancement, insufficient communication and training, and cost implications as barriers hindering GSCM success. It is, therefore, recommended that appropriate support and communication regarding GSCM initiatives are strengthened. / College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Au Canada, l’étude des comportements de l’industrie bioalimentaire et de leurs répercussions sur la santé des populations qu’elle dessert est un domaine très peu exploré. Or, des études démontrent que certains acteurs du secteur privé mènent des activités d’influence sur le développement des politiques publiques qui peuvent en compromettre la nature et leur mise en œuvre. La présente étude, qui s’appuie sur le processus de révision du Guide alimentaire canadien (GAC), vise à : 1) identifier les activités politiques corporatives (APC) menées par l’industrie bioalimentaire dans le processus de révision du Guide alimentaire canadien entre 2016 et 2019; et 2) analyser le discours et la position des acteurs de l’industrie par rapport aux recommandations de Santé Canada. L’échantillon se compose de onze acteurs de l’industrie bioalimentaire qui ont déposé un mémoire au Comité permanent de la santé dans le cadre de la révision du GAC. La collecte de données, qui s’est échelonnée sur six mois (octobre 2018 à mars 2019), a permis de répertorier les APC utilisées par l’échantillon sur une période de 39 mois, soit du début de l’automne 2016 jusqu’au printemps 2019. Le matériel analysé inclut les mémoires qu’ils ont déposés ainsi que leurs sites Internet respectifs. Afin de définir les APC et de les classer en fonction de leurs stratégies, de leurs pratiques et des mécanismes qu’ils emploient, nous nous sommes basés sur un cadre conceptuel du réseau INFORMAS. Nous avons par la suite repéré des éléments caractéristiques de citations, dans les APC et les discours, qui indiquent la présence de positionnement en fonctions des trois principes directeurs : une variété d’aliments et de boissons nutritifs est le fondement de la saine alimentation; les aliments et boissons transformés ou préparés riches en sodium, sucre ou lipides saturés nuisent à une saine alimentation; des connaissances et compétences sont nécessaires pour naviguer dans un environnement alimentaire complexe et favoriser une saine alimentation. Au total, 366 APC ont été identifiées en relation avec le GAC. Nous avons principalement répertorié les stratégies de gestion de l’information (n=197) et les stratégies discursives (n=108). Les données recueillies suggèrent que l’industrie bioalimentaire utilise des APC pour influencer l’élaboration de la politique du nouveau GAC. Les acteurs industriels ont exprimé une opposition aux nouvelles lignes directrices en matière d’alimentation. Les points de vue de chacun d’entre eux sur les problèmes et sur les solutions portées sur les trois principes directeurs divergent. Les intérêts économiques propres à chaque acteur forgent la vision promue par l’industrie bioalimentaire. Cette vision peut difficilement s’harmoniser avec les différentes dimensions des nouvelles lignes directrices ou avec les données probantes les plus récentes qui les appuient. Il est impératif de mieux documenter les APC qui sont susceptibles de nuire à l’adoption de mesures législatives et de limiter la capacité des gouvernements à développer des politiques nutritionnelles efficaces. / In Canada, the study of the agri-food industry’s behavior and its associated repercussions on the health of the populations it serves remains relatively unexplored. However, previous studies have shown that private sector stakeholders employ diverse strategies to influence the development of public policy. These strategies may compromise the nature and implementation of food and nutrition policies. The objectives of this research, based on the revision process of Canada’s Food Guide (CFG) aim to: (1) identify the corporate political activity (CPA) undertaken by the agri-food industry during the revision process of Canada’s Food Guide (CFG) from 2016 to 2019, and (2) analyze the position and discourse of key industry actors concerning the recommendations proposed by Health Canada. The sample is composed of eleven agri-food industry stakeholders having submitted a memorandum to the Standing Committee on Health in relation to the revision of CFG. A six- month data collection period, from October 2018 to March 2019, allowed us to identify CPAs undertaken by the sample over a 39-month period, from early autumn 2016 until spring of 2019. Materials analyzed include memoranda submitted to Cabinet as well as stakeholders’ official websites. To define the CPAs and classify them according to their strategies, their practices and the mechanisms employed, we relied upon a conceptual framework from the INFORMAS network. We then identified, within the CPAs and discourses, elements of citations indicating positioning in terms of the three guiding principles: A variety of nutritious foods and beverages are the foundation for healthy eating; Processed or prepared foods and beverages high in sodium, sugars or saturated fat undermine healthy eating; Knowledge and skills are needed to navigate the complex food environment and support healthy eating. A total of 366 CPAs were identified in relation to CFG. The primary strategies reported are information management (n=197) and discursive strategies (n=108). The data collected suggest that the agri-food industry is using CPAs to influence the policy making of the new CFG. Industry stakeholders have expressed an opposition to the new food guidelines. Each stakeholders’ point of view on the problems and solutions concerning the three guiding principles differ. The economic interests respective to each stakeholder shape the vision promoted by the food industry. This vision may be difficult to harmonize with multiple dimensions of the new guidelines, as well as with the most recent evidence supporting them. It is imperative to better document and regulate the agri-food industry’s CPAs which could interfere with the adoption of legislative measures and limit governmental capacity to develop healthy food and nutrition policies.

The issue of food scandals originating from unsafe food has in recent years caught the attention of the public. Consequently, the number of food recalls has increased, and food retailers and food producers are getting questioned regarding their ability to provide consumers with safe food products. Thus, because the primary responsibility to deal with this problem is the food business operators who have real control over the products within the Food Supply Chain (FSC). Even though food safety has received more interest from academic researchers and practitioners in the latter years, we could identify that previous literature still lacks research on food recalls. In addition, prior research interprets food recalls as generalizable within the FSC and does not have its various product flows in mind. In order to fill the research gap, this study seeks to gain a deeper understanding of food recalls in the context of the different product flows within the FSC from a retailer perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate how the occurrence and the consequences of food recall differ across various product flows within the FSC by focusing on four elements. The elements include the challenges within the FSC to ensure food quality, the reasons behind food recall, the types of food recall, and the consequences they infer. The current study had finally answered the following research question: “How do the occurrence and the consequences of food recalls differ across various product flows within the FSC?” In order to answer the research question and address the purpose of the thesis, a qualitative study was conducted by focusing on Swedish food retailers and conducting interviews with responsible Purchasers within each of the product flows, and additionally, Quality Assurance Managers. The sample of the semi-structured interviews was selected based on the position and experience of food recalls within the retailers. This to assure that the interviewees possessed sufficient insights regarding the studied field to fulfill the purpose of the study and answer its research question. From the gathered data, several themes were derived through the thematic analysis, and the analysis and discussion regarding the elements led us to a conclusion. The result confirmed that the various product flows, and in some cases, even specific products within the flows, need to be taken into consideration when the occurrence and the consequences of food recalls are addressed within the FSC. This is because the different product flows include different products with different characteristics making them more or less complex to handle along the chain and when carrying out food recalls. Even though previous theories assume a general approach, the findings still confirmed the theories regarding the challenges within the FSC to ensure food quality, the reasons behind recalls, the types of recalls, and the consequences the recalls can infer. However, the main differences found between our study and prior research regarding the FSC were that supply chain-related reasons are more commonly related to food reclaims and that environmental consequences are considered an additional consequence of food recalls.

Climate Science Communication is an important tool for helping organizations set strategies to reduce their climate impact. As a major contributor to global climate warming emissions, the food industry needs to take stronger action to reduce their climate impact if the world wants to achieve the global climate goals committed to in the 2015 Paris Agreement. To ensure they meet the climate commitments in their Corporate Social Responsibility strategies, corporations in the food industry should use science-based targets, which research shows are more effective and ambitious. Through the context of Sweden, a country which has set strong emissions reduction policy, this thesis investigates the role that Climate Science Communication and stakeholder communication play in the actions that corporations in the food industry are taking to help achieve the global climate goals. This qualitative study analyzes the firsthand accounts of ten professionals across the food, science communications, and science research industries. Interviews with the participants explore stakeholder management in science communication, the role of collaboration within the science and food industries, and what gaps they see between the science community and the food industry when establishing corporate climate strategies. Results suggest that there is a necessary, and often missing, link between the food industry’s climate strategies and the climate research that informs them. Using principles from Stakeholder Theory, Communications Accommodation Theory, and Cross-Sector Collaboration can help bridge this gap. Improved stakeholder collaboration, better efforts to help decision makers understand climate science, changes to corporate behaviors, and systemic changes in both the corporate world and academia can improve the relationship between the science community and food industry, leading to more effective and impactful climate strategies and results.

No description available.

ABSTRACT In this case study, various strategic methods that influence procurement, purchase and choice of suppliers are discussed. The aim of the study is to provide a clear picture and depiction of different strategies and tools that SMEs can use to increase competitiveness. In this study, a qualitative research method has been used where no measurements or tests have been conducted. The analysis in this case study concludes that the choice of suppliers and procurement strategies for a small and medium enterprises (SME) is not always an easy task, a lot of components should be considered when making a strategy. Although many theories and methods often claim that the economic factors are important, this study shows that it may be good idea for companies and organizations to see the full picture and consider certain other factors into account. The conclusion also shows that small food business companies often is affected by certain criteria like delivery security and lead time. Many of the factor that are value adding to SMEs has been shown in this study to be determined by the customer. This study is suitable for readers who work with purchase strategies and supplier choices. The reader gets through reading this study insight into different strategy related contexts that are adapted to small and medium enterprises (SME). Further research on the subject can be applied with the help of this study using both the methodological and theoretical frameworks. The results and conclusions may also be of importance in further research.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] La acuicultura orgánica o ecológica está ganando popularidad a medida que los consumidores se vuelven más conscientes de las prácticas de producción alimentaria sostenibles y respetuosas con el medio ambiente. Las dietas con ingredientes orgánicos son un componente esencial de la acuicultura ecológica. Estas dietas utilizan ingredientes orgánicos y formulaciones específicas para promover una producción de animales acuáticos más saludable y respetuosa con el medio ambiente. Se alinean con los principios de la agricultura orgánica, minimizan el uso de productos químicos sintéticos y buscan producir productos del mar más saludables y ambientalmente responsables. La presente tesis de doctorado reúne cuatro estudios distintos con el objetivo de avanzar en nuestra comprensión de la integración de nuevos ingredientes orgánicos en las dietas de acuicultura y sus efectos en diversas especies, centrándose en la dorada (Sparus aurata), la lubina (Dicentrarchus labrax) y la trucha arcoíris (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Estos estudios exploran el crecimiento, la composición corporal, la utilización del alimento, la digestibilidad, las respuestas histológicas y la composición de la microbiota al incorporar alimentos e ingredientes orgánicos novedosos. En el primer estudio, se investigó el efecto del alimento eco-orgánico en el crecimiento, la eficiencia nutricional, la utilización del alimento y la composición corporal de la dorada. Se ensayaron seis dietas, incluyendo una dieta de control (CONT) sin ingredientes orgánicos, cuatro dietas con 100% de ingredientes orgánicos (subproducto de trucha - TRO, subproducto de lubina - SBS, subproductos avícolas - POU y mezcla - MIX), y una dieta de control orgánico (ORG) con ingredientes orgánicos y 30% de harina de pescado. En el experimento, de 70 días de duración, se alimentó a los peces dos veces al día, comenzando con un peso inicial de 60.5 g. Los resultados revelaron que las tasas de crecimiento más altas se observaron en peces alimentados con las dietas ORG y CONT que contenían harina de pescado. Por el contrario, la dieta POU mostró la tasa de crecimiento más baja, la tasa de supervivencia más baja y el mayor índice de conversión alimentaria (FCR). La eficiencia de aminoácidos esenciales fue generalmente alta en peces alimentados con las dietas ORG y CONT, con diferencias notables en la eficiencia de retención de ácidos grasos en todas las dietas. La dieta CONT mostró la mayor eficiencia de retención, seguida por la dieta ORG. Sin embargo, la tasa de conversión económica fue menor para CONT, SBS, TRO y MIX. En resumen, el uso de dietas orgánicas de origen animal afectó el rendimiento de crecimiento de la Dorada, con un potencial prometedor a pesar de las variaciones en las tasas de conversión económica entre diferentes dietas. En el segundo estudio, se investigó durante 120 días la utilización de nuevos ingredientes orgánicos para alimentar a la dorada de 93 ± 3.82 g de pesos inicial, centrándose en el crecimiento, los parámetros nutricionales, la digestibilidad y la histología. Se probaron cuatro dietas: una dieta de control orgánico (CON) y tres dietas con 100% de materiales orgánicos - subproducto de trucha arcoíris (TRO), subproducto de cerdo ibérico (IBE) y harina de insectos como fuente de proteínas (INS). Al final del experimento, los peces alimentados con la dieta CON mostraron el mayor peso, sin diferencia significativa entre las dietas experimentales. El contenido de proteínas crudas fue mayor en los peces alimentados con las dietas TRO e INS, mientras que el mayor valor de grasa cruda se observó en la dieta CON. Los peces alimentados con las dietas IBE e INS demostraron una alta digestibilidad, y excepto para el aminoácido esencial metionina (Met), la eficiencia de retención no mostró diferencias estadísticas. IBE tuvo la mayor tasa de hidrólisis entre las dietas. A pesar de las diferencias significativas en la dieta, la dorada mantuvo una morfología hepática típicamente saludable. Si / [CA] L'acuicultura orgànica o ecològica està guanyant popularitat a mesura que els consumidors es tornen més conscients de les pràctiques de producció alimentària sostenibles i respectuoses amb el medi ambient. Les dietes amb ingredients orgànics són un component essencial de l'acuicultura ecològica. Aquestes dietes utilitzen ingredients orgànics i formulacions específiques per promoure una producció d'animals aquàtics més saludable i respectuosa amb el medi ambient. Es alineen amb els principis de l'agricultura orgànica, minimitzen l'ús de productes químics sintètics i busquen produir productes del mar més saludables i ambientalment responsables. Aquesta tesi de doctorat reuneix quatre estudis diferents amb l'objectiu d'avançar en la nostra comprensió de la integració de nous ingredients orgànics a les dietes d'acuicultura i els seus efectes en diverses espècies, centrant-se en la dorada (Sparus aurata), la llobina (Dicentrarchus labrax) i la truita arc de Sant Martí (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Aquests estudis exploren el creixement, la composició corporal, la utilització dels aliments, la digestibilitat, les respostes histològiques i la composició de la microbiota en incorporar aliments i ingredients orgànics innovadors. En el primer estudi, es va investigar l'efecte de l'aliment eco-orgànic en el creixement, l'eficiència nutricional, la utilització dels aliments i la composició corporal de la dorada. Es van provar sis dietes, incloent una dieta de control (CONT) sense ingredients orgànics, quatre dietes amb 100% d'ingredients orgànics (subproducte de truita - TRO, subproducte de llobina - SBS, subproductes avícoles - POU i barreja - MIX), i una dieta de control orgànica (ORG) amb ingredients orgànics i 30% de farina de peix. En l'experiment, de 70 dies de durada, es va alimentar els peixos dues vegades al dia, començant amb un pes inicial de 60,5 g. Els resultats van revelar que les taxes de creixement més altes es van observar en peixos alimentats amb les dietes ORG i CONT que contenien farina de peix. Per contra, la dieta POU va mostrar la taxa de creixement més baixa, la taxa de supervivència més baixa i el major índex de conversió alimentària (FCR). L'eficiència dels aminoàcids essencials va ser generalment alta en peixos alimentats amb les dietes ORG i CONT, amb diferències notables en l'eficiència de retenció d'àcids grassos en totes les dietes. La dieta CONT va mostrar la major eficiència de retenció, seguida per la dieta ORG. No obstant això, la taxa de conversió econòmica va ser menor per a CONT, SBS, TRO i MIX. En resum, l'ús de dietes orgàniques d'origen animal va afectar el rendiment de creixement de la Dorada, amb un potencial prometedor malgrat les variacions en les taxes de conversió econòmica entre diferents dietes. En el segon estudi, es va investigar durant 120 dies la utilització de nous ingredients orgànics per alimentar la dorada amb un pes inicial d'aproximadament 93 ± 3.82 g, centrant-se en el creixement, els paràmetres nutricionals, la digestibilitat i la histologia. Es van provar quatre dietes: una dieta de control orgànica (CON) i tres dietes amb 100% de materials orgànics - subproducte de truita arc de Sant Martí (TRO), subproducte de porc ibèric (IBE) i farina d'insectes com a font de proteïnes (INS). Al final de l'experiment, els peixos alimentats amb la dieta CON van mostrar el major pes, sense diferència significativa entre les dietes experimentals. El contingut de proteïnes brutes va ser major en els peixos alimentats amb les dietes TRO e INS, mentre que el major valor de greix brut es va observar en la dieta CON. Els peixos alimentats amb les dietes IBE e INS van demostrar una alta digestibilitat, i excepte per a l'aminoàcid essencial metionina (Met), l'eficiència de retenció no va mostrar diferències estadístiques. IBE va tenir la major taxa d'hidròlisi entre les dietes. Malgrat les diferències significatives a la dieta, la dorada va mantenir una morfologia hepàtica típicament saludable. No obstant a / [EN] The organic or ecological aquaculture is gaining popularity as consumers become more aware of sustainable and environmentally friendly food production practices. Diets with organic ingredients are an essential component of ecological aquaculture. These diets use organic ingredients and specific formulations to promote healthier and environmentally friendly aquatic animal production. They align with the principles of organic farming, minimize the use of synthetic chemicals, and aim to produce healthier and environmentally responsible seafood products. This doctoral thesis comprises four distinct studies with the aim of advancing our understanding of the integration of new organic ingredients in aquaculture diets and their effects on various species, focusing on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). These studies explore growth, body composition, feed utilization, digestibility, histological responses, and microbiota composition when incorporating novel organic foods and ingredients. In the first study, the effect of eco-organic feed on the growth, nutritional efficiency, feed utilization, and body composition of gilthead sea bream was investigated. Six diets were tested, including a control diet (CONT) without organic ingredients, four diets with 100% organic ingredients (rainbow trout byproduct - TRO, European sea bass byproduct - SBS, poultry byproducts - POU, and a mixture - MIX), and an organic control diet (ORG) with organic ingredients and 30% fish meal. In the 70-day experiment, fish were fed twice a day, starting with an initial weight of 60.5 g. The results revealed that the highest growth rates were observed in fish fed the ORG and CONT diets containing fish meal. In contrast, the POU diet showed the lowest growth rate, the lowest survival rate, and the highest feed conversion ratio (FCR). The efficiency of essential amino acids was generally high in fish fed ORG and CONT diets, with notable differences in fatty acid retention efficiency in all diets. The CONT diet showed the highest retention efficiency, followed by the ORG diet. However, the economic conversion rate was lower for CONT, SBS, TRO, and MIX. In summary, the use of organic diets of animal origin affected the growth performance of gilthead sea bream, with promising potential despite variations in economic conversion rates between different diets. In the second study, the use of new organic ingredients to feed gilthead sea bream with an initial weight of 93 ± 3.82 g was investigated for 120 days, focusing on growth, nutritional parameters, digestibility, and histology. Four diets were tested: an organic control diet (CON) and three diets with 100% organic materials - rainbow trout byproduct (TRO), Iberian pork byproduct (IBE), and insect meal as a protein source (INS). At the end of the experiment, fish fed the CON diet showed the highest weight, with no significant difference between the experimental diets. The crude protein content was higher in fish fed TRO and INS diets, while the highest crude fat value was observed in the CON diet. Fish fed IBE and INS diets demonstrated high digestibility, and except for the essential amino acid methionine (Met), retention efficiency showed no statistics differences. IBE had the highest hydrolysis rate among the diets. Despite significant differences in diet, gilthead sea bream maintained a typically healthy liver morphology. However, fish fed TRO and INS diets showed shorter measurements in the distal intestine. In conclusion, the complete replacement of fish meal with organic materials, including rainbow trout byproducts, Iberian pork byproducts, and insect meal, offers several benefits in terms of digestibility, histology, and growth performance, promoting sustainable and healthy aquaculture practices. The third study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using various organic proteins in the diet of European sea bass. Juvenile sea b / The first author was supported by a complete grant from the Ministry of Higher Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the research project had been developed with the collaboration of the Biodiversity Foundation (Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge), through the Pleamar Program, co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). / Tefal, EHT. (2024). Evaluation of Organic Plant and Animal Ingredients for Fish Feeding [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/203838 / Compendio