The product life cycle analysis for foods is in a class of its own: fully one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany are traceable to the food sector. Nitrogen surpluses from agriculture contaminate groundwater, while eleven million tonnes of food are discarded and wasted every year. The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) are now drawing attention to the environmental impact of foodstuffs and the effects on consumers. Ahead of the International Green Week the two organisations have introduced joint recommendations for action to combat the most urgent problems.