More beans means a better choice for the environment

INCLUDING more beans in school meals and rearranging menus in hospitals are some of the measures that can steer the UK public towards healthier, greener food choices, researchers have found.

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A series of studies, published on Thursday, have explored different ways to transform the UK's food system as part of a major five-year £47.5 million research programme, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). In Britain, 15% of deaths are associated with diet, while a third of the country's carbon emissions are caused by its food system.

Professor Guy Poppy, director of the programme and pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation at the University of Bristol, said climate change, biodiversity loss, obesity and health inequality are "some of the biggest challenges we face in mankind".

"If you get food right, you can help begin to solve some of these major issues," he said.

Findings from studies, which have been carried out across the UK, will be presented to the Environment Department (Defra) as it develops its new national food strategy.

Mr Poppy said evidence presents a "golden opportunity" to inform the strategy, which aims to create a healthier, more sustainable food system. For one project, researchers gathered evidence on the best methods to introduce two varieties of UK-grown beans into school meals.