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Integrating Safety, Sustainability and Ethics in the Food Supply Chain: Proposing a Novel Framework in Service of Public Health and the Enhancement of Social Trust
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Fatemeh Sadat Mirmohammadmakki1    , Mahmoud Abbasi1 , Mahdi Shadnoush *2 |
1- Medical Ethics and Law Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Medical Ethics and Law Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Industries, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. |
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Abstract: (13 Views) |
Background and Aim: The growing complexity of global food supply chains has amplified interconnected challenges related to food safety, environmental degradation and ethical responsibility, thereby exerting increasing pressure on public health outcomes and consumer trust. This paper examines the imperative of systematically integrating food safety, environmental sustainability and ethical responsibility within contemporary food supply chain structures and explores practical mechanisms for achieving coherence among these dimensions.
Methods: Employing a multidimensional analytical approach, the study reviews existing operational frameworks, institutional programs and industry practices, while assessing the contribution of advanced traceability technologies -such as blockchain-based systems and smart monitoring tools -in improving transparency, risk mitigation and accountability across food supply chains.
Ethical Considerations: This study is analytical and review-based and relies solely on secondary data and previously published sources; therefore, it involves no human or animal subjects, personal data collection, or conflicts of interest. Throughout the research process, principles of academic integrity, proper citation and fairness in the analysis and interpretation of the reviewed frameworks and practices were strictly observed.
Results: The analysis demonstrates that the simultaneous application of food safety measures, sustainability-oriented practices and ethics-based approaches can significantly reduce contamination risks, enhance public health protection, preserve natural resources and strengthen consumer confidence. Nonetheless, implementation challenges persist, including operational complexity, financial constraints, fragmented responsibilities and insufficient stakeholder awareness, which limit the effective realization of integrated strategies.
Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that establishing a safe, sustainable and ethically responsible food system requires coordinated engagement among supply chain actors, continuous capacity development and the strategic deployment of traceability and monitoring mechanisms across all stages of food production and distribution. Such an integrated approach is essential for fostering long-term resilience, credibility and trust in global food systems. |
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| Keywords: Food Supply Chain, Food Safety, Environmental Sustainability, Ethical Responsibility, Traceability Systems, Public Health |
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Full-Text [PDF 654 kb]
(8 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original Article |
Received: 2025/09/16 | Accepted: 2025/11/21 | Published: 2025/12/23
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