What’s on the menu in a crisis : nutritional consequences in the population

Abstract: Sweden's ability to be food self-sufficient has long been questioned, and in recent years it has become an increasingly important issue on the political agenda. In 2017, the Swedish Government presented a national food strategy which stated the importance of domestic food production in terms of crisis preparedness. The latest defence bill presented by the Government also emphasized the importance of domestic food production to heighten Sweden’s preparedness. This included having relevant government agencies to investigate the domestic supply of food and drinking water. This thesis aimed to investigate effects on the Swedish population's nutrient supply in the event of reduced imports. To find out, this thesis examines from which foods important nutrients come, clarifies the relationship with imported food and how human health can be affected by changes in imports. Three fictional scenarios form the basis for reduced intake of different product groups, which ultimately results in three results. The effect of energy, dietary fiber and five micronutrients is investigated and discussed. One of the important results of this study is that reduced imports, which result in reduced intake of vegetables and fruits, contribute to very low levels of vitamin C intake, which can have consequences for public health. This study also shows that dietary fiber is generally consumed in insufficient amounts, both during normal conditions and during a crisis, despite recommendations for increased intake from public authorities.