The precautionary principle in nutrition. Epistemology and law

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 epistemology of certainty, which requires certain answers in order to make decisions. This misalignment creates difficulties, especially in maintaining precautionary 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 epistemological 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.