The environmental impact of the consumption of sweets, crisps and soft drinks

The Swedish Food Administration (Livsmedelsverket) commissioned SIK to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study of the product segment snacks and soft drinks in order to quantify its impact upon greenhouse-gas emissions, eutrophication and primary energy use. The products studied were crisps, sweets and soft drinks produced in Sweden and consumed in the Scandinavian capitals. The life-cycle phases included in the study are raw material and ingredient production; transportation of raw materials and ingredients; industrial processing (i.e. factory); and transportation to the central warehouse and to the local retailer.