The precautionary principle in nutrition. Epistemology and law

Abstract

The  precautionary  principle  in  nutrition  is  a  crucial  issue  involving  legal,  ethical,  epistemological,  and  scientific  perspectives.  In  the  current  context,  science has moved beyond certainty, adopting analyses based on probability and uncertainty management, while law and politics remain tied to an epis-temology of certainty, which requires certain answers in order to make deci-sions.  This  misalignment  creates  difficulties,  especially  in  maintaining  pre-cautionary measures in instances of persistent uncertainty. The precautionary principle  applies  precisely  in  situations  of  scientific  uncertainty,  regulating  the protection of health and economic interests. This article proposes an epis-temological  change,  emphasizing  the  need  to  recognize  the  epistemological  value of uncertainty in order to legitimize definitive decisions. Combining the epistemology of uncertainty with that of certainty is a complex but necessary challenge in order to better govern the interactions between science, law, and politics in the food sector, thereby promoting human well-being.