Life cycle assessment (LCA) of an Italian organic product: the case of potatoes from the Fucino area

A diet based predominantly on the consumption of plant foods brings benefits to both human health and the health of the planet. More and more people are oriented towards this type of diet and are able to choose between different types of vegetables. Amongst these, an important role is that of organic foods, which are considered to entail better benefits on humans and less impact on the environment. The Fucino organic potato is considered as a flagship product of the Abruzzo hinterland and in great demand throughout Italy. This article explores the evaluation of the environmental performance of such a product, considering the agricultural and industrial phases of a package of frozen organic potatoes produced and processed in the Piana del Fucino area. In order to do so, the Life Cycle Assessment methodology was implemented, given that it is robust and already consolidated in the agri-food sector. The most influenced environmental impact category appeared to be “water consumption” with most of it dependent on energy consumption (mainly for refrigeration). What followed was the “human carcinogenic toxicity” category, mainly caused by electricity consumption and sowing, which includes the processing necessary to produce the seed and transport from abroad to Italy; and “terrestrial ecotoxicity”, which also depends on electricity consumption and the seed and copper used as a plant protection product.