Research

The digital foodscape and non-communicable diseases. Analysis of the risk factors of meal delivery applications in Denmark. DTU Skylab Foodlab Report 2021-01

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Abstract

This report explores the mitigation of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors asso-ciated with out of home modern food culture through a system-oriented design approach. Using a holistic approach, the authors explored the food system surrounding the modern out of home food culture in Denmark with a focus on stakeholder interviews. From this, the authors identified online food delivery (OFD) as an area in need of innovative solutions to mitigate the threat OFD pose to public health by giving consumers easy access to food prepared away from home anytime and anywhere. The report primarily investigates the connection between healthy diets and the type of OFD platform defined as meal delivery (MD) applications (apps). An analysis of how the five MD apps operating in Denmark impact food choices in the Danish digital foodscape was conducted. This report offers a tangible overview of MD apps and the opportunities and challenges related to NCDs that these platforms pose. It is determined that MD apps contribute to food accessibility by extending reach of food outlets (FO) and that they operate in both urban and rural areas. Further, it is found that there exists misinformation and that current policies on provision of food information to consumers are not adhered to. Moreover, it is found that the MD apps have the potential to nudge consumer decisions through their user interface and the companies’ use of digital marketing. This report does not aim to stop OFD but investigates what measures should be made to ensure the expansion of the digital foodscape will not lead to an increased health burden.