Planetary Health: A Comprehensive View of Food in Brazil - PHFood Brazil

This dataset is a result of the "Integrating national open databases for a comprehensive view on food, environment and health in Brazil", an initiative that integrates diverse national open databases to provide insights into food production, consumption, environmental impact, and public health in Brazil from 1974 to 2022. The primary hypothesis behind the dataset is that analyzing food systems, nutrition, and agricultural practices over time will reveal patterns that can inform sustainable food policies and health interventions.
We hypothesize that by aggregating and harmonizing data from various national sources, it will be possible to identify critical relationships between food production, nutrient availability, and environmental sustainability. This integrated dataset allows us to evaluate how agricultural practices and food consumption patterns have evolved in response to changing environmental, economic, and societal conditions in Brazil.
Food Production and Nutrient Data: The dataset includes detailed information on harvested areas, food production (in tons), and nutrient availability (e.g., energy, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals) for various food groups across different Brazilian regions and states.
Water and Environmental Data: Water usage, deficit, and environmental impact data are linked to agricultural activities, allowing the assessment of water efficiency in food production.
Pesticides and Residue Monitoring: Information on pesticide usage, maximum residue levels (MRL), and residue percentage in food items is provided, with additional details on authorized pesticide types, toxicity classifications, and environmental risks. Food Consumption: Data on food acquisition and consumption patterns, broken down by food groups (e.g., beans, vegetables, fruits), are presented, highlighting dietary trends across various population groups.
Data Collection and Methodology: The dataset was constructed by linking several government datasets, including agricultural statistics, water use reports, and residue monitoring programs. Each dataset was meticulously harmonized to ensure compatibility and completeness, following Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes. The data was collected over several decades, representing longitudinal trends in food systems and health. The harmonization process ensures that all data fields are consistent and comparable across time and regions.
Interpretation and Use: This dataset can be used to explore the connections between food systems, health, and the environment. It supports studies in agrifood systems, sustainability, public health, and climate change. Researchers can investigate the impacts of food production on nutrient availability, water consumption, and pesticide use over time. It can also be used to model future food system sustainability under different climate scenarios and dietary patterns, contributing to the development of food policies that balance human and planetary health.