Rethinking Industrial Food: Why Transformation Protects Health, Value, and the Future of Agriculture – La Prealpina
I participated in the La Prealpina conference “Il Cibo in Tavola nell’Era dell’Incertezza” in Busto Arsizio, in the heart of the productive North, where Lombardy stands as the core of Italy’s agri-food industry. Surrounded by entrepreneurs, producers, experts, and policy leaders, we discussed how food, identity, and society evolve in a time of profound economic and cultural uncertainty.
My intervention focused on a critical point too often misunderstood: industrial food is not the enemy. When grounded in science and innovation, it is one of the strongest allies of public health, safety, competitiveness, and waste reduction. What follows is a concise summary of the main arguments.
Rethinking Industrial Food: Why Transformation Protects Health, Value, and the Future of Agriculture
Industrial foods, often mislabeled as “ultra-processed” (UPF), are increasingly portrayed as a danger to public health. Yet the evidence tells a very different story. During my intervention, I argued that industrial food is not harming society; rather, when produced responsibly, it plays a crucial role in nutrition, hygiene, safety, accessibility, and food security. The real challenge is not processing; it is the lack of education, empowerment, and balanced lifestyles.
A fundamental fact is often ignored: without food processing, agriculture would collapse. In Italy, 83% of agricultural production is transformed by the food industry. Processing is essential to preserve foods safely, guarantee quality standards, extend shelf life, and substantially reduce waste. It is not the opposite of tradition; it is what allows our raw materials to survive, travel, and reach consumers.
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The numbers confirm the sector’s strategic role. Italy’s food industry generates €197 billion, around 10% of national GDP, and represents a central pillar of our manufacturing system. It employs 385,000 workers directly and over 1.2 million across its extended supply chain. Export remains a powerhouse: €63 billion, equal to 10% of total Italian exports, with constant annual growth.
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Agriculture alone produces €64 billion, but it is the food industry that multiplies this value and transforms raw materials into globally competitive products that carry identity, culture, and innovation.
This is why industrial food is a public-health ally, not a villain. It ensures safety, reduces waste, and makes nutrition available at scale. Demonizing it through categories like UPF or punitive taxes will not make people healthier. What will is knowledge, balance, and smarter policies that empower citizens and support innovation.
