SWITCH FOOD EXPLORER DATASET

The SWITCH Food Explorer database of health and sustainability provides median values of carbon footprint (CF), water footprint (WF), derived respectively, from 6,065 primary CF studies, 1,298 WF data from literature listed in the database sheets, plus a blue food index (BFI), for fish and shellfish, derived from 4,035 fisheries and aquaculture sustainability records. It also provides 9 nutritional indicators and" health and sustainability recommendations" for food consumption, including ideal frequency of consumption and ranges of optimal average portions. Data are summarized in 400 items, 37 sub-groups associated in 20 food groups. For each food item, statistics of the original databasets feeding the results are provided including uncertainty scores, banding colours and classes of sustainability for each item, and a combined Environmental Score for the 3 indices. Details on the criteria to assign banding and create the database are provided in the scientific paper associated to this database: Masini Cristina, Alessandrino Luigi, Martinelli Margherita, Vitale Marilena, Mastrocicco Micol, Palmieri Maria, Longobardi Emilia, Maretto Virgilio, Pizzuto Marco, Chiriacò Maria Vincenza, Castaldi Simona. 2026. A tool to enhance citizens’ knowledge and actionability for healthy and sustainable food habits: the SWITCH Food Explorer. Environmental Technology & Innovation, Volume 43, 105002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2026.105002