Final answer:
True, transportation and packaging do contribute a majority of emissions from food products, with significant portions of greenhouse gases emanating from the transport systems and the energy-intensive process of plastic packaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that transportation and packaging account for a majority of emissions from food products is indeed true. Agriculture produces 10-23 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with transportation systems in the United States responsible for 28.2 percent of emissions from fossil fuels in 2018. Importantly, more than half of these emissions came from passenger cars, light-duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and minivans. The transportation of food contributes significantly to these numbers, especially when foods are shipped around the world, which increases carbon emissions.
Packaging, particularly plastic packaging, also plays a role in increasing emissions. Plastic production is energy-intensive, using up to 1.5 million barrels of oil each year just for making plastic bottles. Transportation and packaging together can be deemed responsible for a significant portion of the emissions tied to food products, suggesting the need for sustainable changes in these areas.