Consumers are increasingly inclined to choose locally produced food over imported products in order to reduce the carbon footprint of their diets. While local food has the connotation of being more sustainable, this is not necessarily always the case. Imported product may be produced and transported in ways that result in lower greenhouse gas emissions or other environmental impacts. In some cases, therefore, the choice of what to eat can be more important for the environmental impact of food consumption than where that food comes from. For example, some foods are transported by sea, which is a relatively carbon-efficient mode of transport. Most of the carbon emissions associated with food transport actually occur domestically, when products are transported by lorry. An overstated emphasis on local food may overshadow other relevant food choices, such as what food categories to consume in what quantities.
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