"swedes" news and stories

As if counting calories wasn't enough for one's plate, considerate Swedish eaters are now encouraged to monitor the carbon dioxide emissions created by their food consumption.

Taking steps to suppress global warming, new food labels on restaurant menus and grocery products in Sweden indicate the carbon dioxide emissions involved in the food's creation, from fast-food burgers to fresh produce, the New York Times reports. Similar to the nutritional information listed on packaging, the carbon footprint of a product is listed as follows: "Climate declared: ___ kg CO2 per kg of product."

A 2005 national study in Sweden -- leaders in the quest to reduce one's carbon footprint -- determined that 25 percent of the country's carbon emissions was traced to food production and eating, according to the Times. Experts believe that strictly abiding by these new guidelines could reduce their culinary carbon footprint by as much as 25 to 50 percent.