Data model of food sustainability

GS1 together with the actors of the food value chain compiled a data model of food sustainability in Finland. The development project belonging to the Food Data Finland Growth Engine program prepared a proposal, how data related to food sustainability could move from primary production to food industry, retail trade and all the way to consumers.

In September 2022, GS1 implemented a development project Data model of food sustainability, which was part of the Food Data Finland program. The end result of the development project, completed in March 2023, was GS1's proposal on what kind of sustainability-related data could be collected and in what form it could be shared in the chain. In addition, the project prepared a road map proposal for the industry on how to shift to the use of the food sustainability data model. Its purpose is to act as a work tool for food chain companies to put changes into practice.

GS1's proposal for a data model is based on the utilization of GS1 standards. In order to prepare the model and map out the needs, GS1 had discussions with various actors and companies in the food chain. The starting point of the data model was strongly taken from the consumer's point of view, i.e. the information needs and wishes related to the consumer's purchase process.

The development project took into account the views of different actors in the food chain. With the help of interviews and workshops, the product sustainability information that facilitates consumers' purchasing decisions and benefits companies' businesses was determined and selected. The task was to find the aspects of sustainability from which Finland's international competitiveness can be developed.

Publications

Summary in English >

You can find all the publications of the project on the Finnish pages.

Tasks and objectives

  • create a proposal of food sustainability data model based on clear defined concepts
  • select sustainability information for the data model that helps the consumer in making choices, benefits companies' businesses and brings international competitiveness to the Finnish food chain
  • create a road map, a concrete proposal on how to move to the use of the data model in the industry.

Project organisation

Project management:
GS1

Partners:
Vere Design Oy
Brave Alliance Oy

Core participant group of companies and stakeholders:

Retail trade:
Kesko Oyj
SOK
PTY

Food industry:
Apetit Oyj
Atria Suomi Oy
Fazer
HKScan Oyj
Valio Oy
ETL

Primary production:
Bisnes+
MTK

Steering group:
Food Data Finland program executive team

Benefits of implementation of the sustainability data model

  • The international competitiveness of the Finnish food chain increases when product sustainability information can be verified and traced using uniform data.
  • Companies can use the chain's knowledge about food sustainability in their own operations, develop a more consumer-oriented selection and prepare for stricter legislative requirements.
  • Consumers can make sustainability-based choices and comparisons between products and product groups.

Do you want to know more? Contact Anu.

Anu Lahdenperä
Anu Lahdenperä
Chief Growth Officer, Product Data
+358 50 402 3546Call
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