Home - Ec Chapter 2- FOOD CHOICES AND SUSTAINABILITY

Question 1

Functions of food

Answer 1

Growth, energy and warmth, protection against disease

Question 2

Lifestyle

Answer 2

Busy Lives: This can lead to a greater reliance on takeaways and convenience foods e.g. frozen pizza. 2. Eat meals together as a family is important. This sets a good example and creates good eating habits in their children.

Question 3

Religion

Answer 3

Some religions have traditions or rules regarding food e.g. Muslims don’t eat pork Majority of Buddhists are vegetarian Hindus do not eat beef - the cow is sacred.

Question 4

Culture

Answer 4

staple food is a food that is eaten frequently in a country e.g. rice is associated with China, potatoes with Ireland forming a staple part of the diet. • International travel, immigration and media mean that people are exposed to many different cuisines. This influences their food choices.

Question 5

Food sustainability

Answer 5

Maintaining a healthy food supply for future generations Food sustainability (buying foods that do not harm the environment) is another factor that influences people’s choice of food.

Question 6

Ecological

Answer 6

physical things

Question 7

ethical

Answer 7

morally right

Question 8

Ecological lsues-Food Miles

Answer 8

Food miles are the distance food travels before it can be purchased. Trucks, airplanes and ships
transporting food all burn fuel that pollutes our environment with carbon dioxide (CO2). . lt is more
responsible to buy locally produced foods, which have travelled much shorte distances. Eg.
Choose foods that are in-season locally. In-season fruits and vegetables may
be cheaper and taste
better.

Question 9

Ecological lssues-Organic Food

Answer 9

Organic food is food that has been produced without the use of artifcial fertilisers or pesticides. Itis
produced using methods that respect the environment. In Europe, all prepackaged foods that meet
organic standards carry the Euro-leaf symbol. If purch asing unpackaged food, such as loose fruit and
vegetables, the seller should be able to tell you if it is organic.

Question 10

Ecological Issues-Food Packaging

Answer 10

Food packaging, particularly plastic packaging, is harmful to the environment and should be avoided
when possible. Biodegradable packaging breaks down naturally and harmlessly in the environment
This kind of packaging is now being used by a number of retailers. E.g since summer 2018, Lidl wrap
their Fairtrade, organic bananas in a steeve of bio degradable bandin g, eliminating 10,000 kg of plastic
a year.

Question 11

Ethical issues-Fairtrade

Answer 11

Buy Fairtrade foods such as tea, cofee and cho colate . When a product displays the Fairtrade symbol,
it means that farmers in developing countries have been paid a fair price price for their produce and that
workers have good working conditions.

Question 12

Ethical issues-Vegetarian and Vegans

Answer 12

About 8% Or Irish people are vegetarian and 2% are vegan. (Bord Bia 2018).” Vegans do not eat of Use
any animal-based foods and products e.g. milk, eggs and leather . . Many vegetarians and vegans have
chosen this way of life s for ethical reasons. They feel it is moraly wrong to kil or use animals for food.