The project explores the integration of complementary indicators beyond existing methodologies based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and examines the connections between nutritional and environmental aspects. It places particular emphasis on biodiversity, soil health, circularity, and microplastics-related risk, addressing sustainability dimensions that are currently less represented in existing approaches.
In parallel, the project contributes to the development of systematic approaches for the collection and verification of environmental data along the agri-food supply chain, supporting traceability, transparency, and data integrity.
EFL 2.0 adopts a gradual and participatory approach, implemented through research, real-world experimentation, and communication activities.
This work is supported by continuous dialogue with experts and stakeholders, including technical roundtables, as well as surveys and testing activities across several European countries aimed at analysing consumer understanding, trust, and behaviour.
Overview
EFL 2.0 is part of the broader transition towards sustainable, healthy, and resilient food systems.
Environmental information available on food products may present limitations in terms of completeness of indicators, methodological harmonisation, comparability of results, data collection costs, and consumer comprehension.
EFL 2.0 helps to address these challenges by strengthening the scientific and operational foundations of existing assessment tools, while remaining consistent with current European methodological frameworks.
The project adopts a “One Health” approach, recognising the interconnections between human health, ecosystem health, and food production systems.
Objectives
The overall objective of EFL 2.0 is to contribute to the methodological improvement of environmental assessment systems applied to food products at the European level.
Specifically, the project develops and tests new environmental indicators to ensure assessments better reflect the complexity of agricultural and food systems, including aspects that are currently often underrepresented, such as biodiversity, soil health, circularity, and microplastics-related risk. It also explores how environmental and nutritional aspects can be considered together in relation to healthy and sustainable diets.
The project further contributes to the development of approaches for collecting and verifying environmental data along the agri-food value chain, supporting traceability, transparency, and data integrity.
Through testing, consultations, and pilot initiatives — including technical roundtables, surveys in several European countries, and in-store and online testing — the project aims to generate evidence and based and recommendations, assess feasibility and usability, and analyse consumer understanding, trust, and purchase intention, contributing to scientific and institutional dialogue at European level.
Project Partners
EFL 2.0 is delivered by a European partnership bringing together non-governmental organisations (NGOs), universities, research centres, and agri-food value chain stakeholders with complementary expertise across scientific, regulatory, and market domains.
 | WWF Italia |
 | Council for Agricultural Research and Economics – Research Centre for Food and Nutrition (CREA-AN) Website |
 | Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies – Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” Website |
 | ECOS Website |
 | Department of Food Science – Aarhus University Website |
 | Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences – Università degli Studi della Tuscia Website |
 | Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment – Università di Siena Website |
 | FederBio Website |
 | pOsti Website |
Project infos
- Full name: Environmental Food Label – EFL 2.0
- Project Ref.: n. 250745 IFFW5-CP-14
- Duration: September 2025 – September 2027
- Funding: EIT Food
