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Average Food Consumption for Comparisons

Understanding whether a food product is better or worse than average requires establishing a reliable baseline. This page explains how we calculate the current population consumption statistic used for all comparisons.

Why Averages Matter​

Certain metrics for food products we consume, such as:

  • CO₂ emissions
  • Water scarcity rating
  • Rainforest impact
  • Animal welfare score

...are only valuable when compared to current population statistics. Only then can we understand:

  1. If we actually improve the situation
  2. By how much we improve it

Without this comparison, absolute values lack context and meaning.

Methodology​

Data Sources​

Our average is calculated from:

  1. Calculation Database: Millions of environmental assessments performed over the years
  2. Sales Statistics: Real-world data on meals and products actually consumed
  3. Frequency Weighting: Acknowledging that some foods are eaten more often than others

Calculation Process​

Step 1: Collect all environmental calculations from our database
Step 2: Gather sales statistics for corresponding foods
Step 3: Weight each food by consumption frequency
Step 4: Calculate weighted average across all data
Step 5: Normalize by Daily Food Unit (DFU)

This produces a weighted average that reflects actual eating patterns, not just theoretical food availability.

The Global CO₂/DFU Ratio​

Current Value​

3894 g CO₂e per 1 DFU

This means that for one Daily Food Unit (representing a day's nutritional needs), the average person causes 3894 grams of CO₂-equivalent emissions.

What is 1 DFU?​

One Daily Food Unit contains:

  • 2000 kcal (energy)
  • 50 g proteins
  • 66 g fats
  • 2.5 liters water
  • 600 g dry mass

See Daily Food Unit (DFU) for detailed explanation.

Interpretation​

Any food with a better CO₂/DFU ratio than 3894 g is an improvement.

Example 1: Product with 2000 g CO₂ / 1 DFU
→ Better than average (2000 < 3894)
→ Improvement: 49%

Example 2: Product with 5000 g CO₂ / 1 DFU
→ Worse than average (5000 > 3894)
→ Worse by: 28%

Weighted Averages Explained​

Why Weighting Matters​

Consider two scenarios:

Unweighted Average (Incorrect):

Food A (rarely eaten): 10,000 g CO₂/DFU
Food B (commonly eaten): 2,000 g CO₂/DFU
Simple average: (10,000 + 2,000) / 2 = 6,000 g CO₂/DFU

Weighted Average (Correct):

Food A (5% of consumption): 10,000 g CO₂/DFU × 0.05 = 500
Food B (95% of consumption): 2,000 g CO₂/DFU × 0.95 = 1,900
Weighted average: 500 + 1,900 = 2,400 g CO₂/DFU

The weighted average (2,400) is much more accurate because it reflects actual eating patterns.

Real-World Application​

Our weighted average accounts for:

  • Staple foods (rice, bread, potatoes) eaten daily
  • Occasional foods (exotic fruits, specialty items) eaten rarely
  • Seasonal variations in consumption patterns
  • Regional preferences in different markets
  • Cultural differences in dietary patterns

Data Quality and Updates​

Continuous Improvement​

The 3894 g CO₂/DFU baseline is:

  • Dynamic: Updated as new data becomes available
  • Comprehensive: Based on millions of calculations
  • Representative: Weighted by actual consumption patterns
  • Validated: Cross-checked against scientific literature

Data Volume​

Our database includes:

  • Millions of product calculations
  • Years of sales statistics
  • Multiple geographic regions
  • Diverse food categories
  • Various preparation methods

Scientific Validation​

Our average aligns with:

  • IPCC food system emission estimates
  • Eat-Lancet Commission dietary data
  • National consumption surveys
  • Academic research on food systems

See Climate Score for scientific references.

How This Powers Comparisons​

Improvement Percentage​

The 3894 g baseline enables the Improvement Percentage calculation:

Improvement % = 1 - (Product CO₂/DFU) / 3894

CO₂ Savings​

It also enables absolute savings calculations:

CO₂ Savings = (3894 × DFU) - Product CO₂

Climate Friendly Threshold​

Products achieving ≥50% improvement (≤1947 g CO₂/DFU) qualify as: ✅ Climate Friendly

This 50% threshold comes from scientific recommendations for necessary emissions reductions.

Benchmarks​

While the global average is 3894 g CO₂/DFU, specific food categories have their own benchmarks:

  • Beverages: Lower than average
  • Vegetables: Much lower than average
  • Poultry: Near average
  • Beef: Significantly higher than average

See Benchmark Documentation for category-specific values.

Regional Variations​

The global average can be adjusted for:

  • Geographic location: European vs. Asian vs. American consumption patterns
  • Economic factors: Income levels affect diet composition
  • Cultural context: Traditional diets vary significantly

Practical Applications​

For Product Developers​

Question: Is our new plant-based burger an improvement?

Answer:

  1. Calculate product CO₂ and DFU
  2. Compute CO₂/DFU ratio
  3. Compare to 3894 g baseline
  4. If under 50% of baseline (1947 g): Climate Friendly ✅

For Restaurants​

Question: How does our menu compare to average dining?

Answer:

  1. Calculate weighted average of all menu items
  2. Weight by popularity (sales frequency)
  3. Compare to 3894 g CO₂/DFU baseline
  4. Identify high-impact items for optimization

For Consumers​

Question: Is this meal a better choice?

Answer:

  • Look for climate-friendly label (≥50% improvement)
  • Check environmental rating (A, B, C, D, E)
  • Compare similar meals to choose the better option

Transparency and Accountability​

Data Sources​

Our calculations are based on:

  • LCA databases: ecoinvent, AGRIBALYSE, WFLDB
  • Sales data: Anonymized, aggregated consumption statistics
  • Scientific literature: Peer-reviewed research
  • Industry data: Food production and supply chain information

Methodology Updates​

We maintain transparency by:

  • Documenting calculation methods
  • Publishing methodology changes
  • Validating against independent sources
  • Engaging with scientific community

FAQ​

Q: Does the 3894 g value ever change?

A: Yes, it's updated as we collect more data and consumption patterns evolve. Changes are gradual and well-documented.

Q: Is this value the same worldwide?

A: The 3894 g is our global weighted average. Regional variations exist but are typically within 10-20% of this value.

Q: How often is this updated?

A: The baseline is reviewed annually and updated when significant new data becomes available or consumption patterns shift notably.

Q: Can I use this for my own calculations?

A: Yes, 3894 g CO₂e/DFU is our current published baseline. However, for precise product assessments, we recommend using our calculation services which account for all nuances.

Q: How does this compare to other methodologies?

A: Our approach is unique in weighting by actual consumption. Many other baselines use simple averages or recommended diets rather than real-world eating patterns.

Key Takeaway: The 3894 g CO₂e/DFU baseline represents real-world weighted average consumption, providing a fair and accurate comparison point for all food environmental assessments.