While the need to transform food and agriculture through a systemic approach may seem obvious, how to do it given siloed policies and structures is unclear. Corinna Hawkes, Director of the Division of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, builds on real-world examples to show that overcoming these barriers is possible where there is focus and intention.

We demonstrate that bovine fibroblasts can undergo spontaneous immortalization after 500 days in culture, without genetic modification or p53 inactivation. These rare events provide a safe, stable and economically viable cell source that overcomes key barriers to cultivated beef production.

Food system transformations need nuanced approaches to modelling future outcomes. This Review explores current challenges and outlines paths forward for food system transformation modelling, with an emphasis on diversification of the approaches used and integration into decision-making processes.

Data from the Illuminating Hidden Harvests initiative challenge the small- versus large-scale fisheries dichotomy, identifying five global archetypes to guide targeted policy and food systems transformation.

Soil organic matter stability is critical for long-term soil health and carbon sequestration. This study reveals that increased bacterial richness enhances soil organic matter thermostability by driving a trade-off between molecular diversity and thermodynamic stability.

Bovine fibroblast cell line generation without genetic modification is characterized. A technoeconomic analysis demonstrates the potential for price-competitive, scaled-up cultivated beef production.

Nanofibrils constructed from oat protein and carrying iron nanoparticles can increase absorption compared with ferrous sulfate in human studies, offering a promising fortification strategy for treating iron deficiency and improving human nutrition.

Fishmeal and oil derived from forage fish are critical vulnerabilities for stable aquaculture feed supply. A shortfall impact model and scenario analysis explores options for bridging forage fish deficits with alternative aquaculture feeds.

Consensus exists on the urgent need for food systems to be more sustainable, but defining their environmentally safe operating space is challenging. This study proposes food system boundaries as a share of planetary boundaries, defining budgets across nine boundaries and revealing where boundary transgression is most critical.

Most studies assessing food self-sufficiency look at calories and neglect nutrient gaps. Comparing food demand and potential food production under land and water constraints, this study quantifies 9 key nutrient gaps for each of African’s 54 countries.

The High Seas Treaty, key to the conservation of international waters, will come into effect in January 2026. The full implications for food systems remain to be explored.

While the need to transform food and agriculture through a systemic approach may seem obvious, how to do it given siloed policies and structures is unclear. Corinna Hawkes, Director of the Division of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, builds on real-world examples to show that overcoming these barriers is possible where there is focus and intention.

Food is increasingly framed as a security issue — not just as an allusion to external shocks that may put it at risk, but also as a reflection of a political agenda that prioritizes increased agricultural output rather than the systemic changes needed to create more just and sustainable food futures. European food policy must align with scientific evidence, sustainability commitments and democratic principles to create true food security.