The manuscript was prepared to conduct a thorough analysis and deepen the understanding of sustainable food production and diets within the context of the challenges posed by intensive agricultural practices and their environmental impacts, as well as their effects on human health. The rapid growth of the human population necessitates an increase in food production to meet nutritional needs. However, increasing the production of animal-derived products, which are significant protein sources, is likely to worsen undesirable consequences, such as global climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and a larger carbon footprint. Traditional farming techniques also contribute to environmental contamination due to the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Transitioning to a sustainable food production model that addresses food needs while protecting consumer health and the environment is crucial. The challenge for the food industry and research centers is to find and develop the production of alternative sources of protein. In addition to the technological problems that must be solved, there is consumer education focused on healthy eating and overcoming psychological barriers related to the consumption of new foods.

The aim of the study was to examine the nutritional behaviour of young adults depending on gender. A survey was conducted among 467 young adults using the “Questionnaire for the study of nutritional behaviour and opinions on food and nutrition”. Questions concerned the frequency of consumption of selected groups of food products. The questionnaire was supplemented by questions regarding the number of portions of fruits and vegetables consumed, putting sugar in drinks, putting salt in dishes and the number of glasses of water drunk. Differences in nutritional behaviours were determined using the χ² test, at p < 0.05. The dietary choices of women more often than those of men corresponded to the principles of healthy nutrition, related to a greater number of meals consumed during the day, more frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables and the selection of products with lower energy value or preferring healthier methods of culinary processing. Health education programs should prevent the emergence of unfavourable dietary habits such as skipping breakfast or other meals or limiting the consumption of fruits and vegetables and frequently replacing them with high-energy snacks.

This study determined the accumulation of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg and As) in tissues of wild boar. The tested animals were divided into three age groups, which allowed analysis of the statistical/mathematical relationship between their age and contamination of their tissues. For determination of heavy metal content, samples were taken from the longissimus muscle of the back and from the tail lobe of the liver. It has been stated that, in wild boar, accumulation of lead and cadmium in muscle and liver increases with age. However, statistical differences were found most frequently between the youngest and oldest animal groups only. Moreover, in no single case, was the maximum permissible level exceeded in muscle for lead, cadmium or mercury, and arsenic was not detected above 0.001 mg/kg. In the >3 year group, the maximum permissible level of cadmium (0.5 mg/kg) was exceeded in two liver samples.

This manuscript was prepared for the purpose of an in-depth analysis of the development of electronic sensors in food quality assessment. In this study, the following research question was asked: What are the arguments for the development of electronic sensors for food assessment? The aim of this work was to comprehensively review the current scientific literature presenting the discussed issues and their systematization, as well as to present the prospects, threats, and applications of electronic sensors in food quality testing. The greatest interest of researchers lies in the use of e-nose. In contrast, fewer publications concerned e-tongue applications, and the smallest number of works concerned e-eye application. The initial application of electronic sensors in the food industry progressed from research on the identification of single ingredients or properties to the creation of increasingly complex research instruments that comprehensively analyze areas of food characteristics. Specifically, e-sensor research has focused on individual e-nose, e-tongue, and e-eye devices and has not provided complete information about food. This is confirmed by the high accuracy of research results regarding the combined use of sensors in food quality assessment.

A dual objective of food storage is to retain nutritional value and safe consumption over time. As supply chains have globalized, food protection and preservation methods have advanced. However, increasing demands to cater for larger volumes and for more effective food storage call for new technologies. This paper examines promising meat preservation methods, including high pressure process, ultrasounds, pulsating electric and magnetic field, pulsed light and cold plasma. These methods not only make it possible to obtain meat and meat products with a longer shelf life, safer for health and without preservatives, but also are more environment-friendly in comparison with traditional methods. With the use of alternative methods, it is possible to obtain meat products that are microbiologically safer, whilst also high quality and free from chemical additives. Moreover, these new technologies are also more ecological, do not require large quantities of energy or water, and generate less waste.