Improving sustainability in the food supply chain of the healthcare sector: the ISO 22000 and ISO 28000 adoption

The climate crisis poses serious threats to human health, and the healthcare sector is a significant contributor to this issue. According to the Healthcare Without Harm report, the supply chain is responsible for 70% of climate pollution related to the healthcare sector. The sustainability of the food supply chain is significantly influenced by food production, distribution, preparation, and consumption. The healthcare food supply chain and the agri-food sector are closely connected and interdependent, through the entire food production and distribution cycle. This study provides an overview of the food supply chain within the healthcare sector. The authors emphasize the imperative of establishing a sustainable food supply chain within the sector, aligned with the ISO standards, to ensure and maintain food quality and safety. To assess the current state of the food supply chain in the healthcare sector, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted. The review encompassed the assessment of articles sourced from peer-reviewed journals listed in Scopus and Web of Science. Qualitative analysis was undertaken, to understand food supply chain benefits and challenges. The sustainable management of the food supply chain necessitates a holistic integration of three pillars of sustainability. A solution is the implementation of tailored standards, such as ISO 28000 or ISO 22000, for the preservation of food product integrity and safety throughout the entire supply chain.