Environmental impact of 100% fruit juice consumption and inclusion in sustainable diets in Europe

Current evidence supports moderate consumption of 100% fruit juices (FJ) due to their contribution to fruit consumption and nutrient intake. Over the last decade, major attention has been paid to the environmental impact of dietary choices and the place of food groups in a sustainable diet. The present paper provides a comprehensive overview of both production and consumption of 100% FJ, as well as modelling studies which propose optimised intakes within health and environment parameters. While the production of FJ has certain hotpoints which contribute to its environmental pressure, as do all foods and beverages, the actual FJ consumption generates a relatively small share of the food-related carbon and water footprint. Moreover, the available scientific literature on optimised dietary patterns tends to place 100% FJ within healthy and sustainable dietary patterns. Based on European consumption patterns, the average carbon footprint of FJ, nectars and vegetable juices was 2.6% of food-related greenhouse gas emissions. This was significantly lower than animal foods and grains and similar to the fruit/vegetable category (with lower amounts of FJ consumed). Considering their potential role in health as a source of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, as well as their acceptable environmental impact, moderate FJ consumption is consistent with global recommendations on fruit intake as part of a healthy and sustainable dietary pattern.