Every year, one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally. This amounts to about 1.3 billion tons per year. This issue not only contributes to global hunger but also has significant social, economic and environmental implications (SEE). To address this concern, the United Nations established the "International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste." Celebrated on September 29th each year, it is an opportunity to “call to action both the public (national or local authorities) and the private sector (businesses and individuals) to prioritise actions and move ahead with innovation to reduce food loss and waste towards restoring and building back better and resilient-ready, food systems.” We will delve into the significance of this day, the causes and consequences of food loss and waste, and the efforts being made to combat this global challenge.
Causes of Food Loss and Waste
A considerable portion of food loss comes from production and harvesting, stemming from factors like inclement weather, pest infestations, diseases, and insufficient infrastructure. At the farming stage alone, 1.2 billion tonnes or 15.3% of food produced around the world is lost during harvest or slaughter operations. After harvest, inadequate practices in post-harvest handling and storage, such as improper temperature control and insufficient packaging, result in additional food losses. Within the distribution and supply chain, spanning transportation, processing, and retailing, food wastage can occur due to logistical hurdles and inefficiencies.
Additionally, consumer behaviour plays a role in food wastage, as individuals frequently purchase more than they need. This is due to the influence of the ‘retail supply chain’ on individuals and households. The retail supply chain is usually led by the retailer as controller of the food supply chain and has an impact on individuals and households through information campaigns that influence ‘attitudes and values’, ‘perceived social norms’, ‘knowledge and skills’ and ‘awareness’.
Consequences of Food Loss and Waste
Food loss and waste have far-reaching consequences; Firstly, 49 million people in 43 countries are at risk of falling into a severe hunger crisis, famine and malnutrition. Addressing this issue is crucial, as minimising food loss and waste can play a pivotal role in alleviating global hunger.
Secondly, the environmental impact is considerable. The resources expended in producing, transporting, and processing food that ultimately goes to waste contributes to heightened greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food waste. It is not just greenhouse gas emissions that are affected by food waste; escalated water consumption and accelerated deforestation are also impacted.
Finally, the economic consequences of this issue are considerable. Farmers face income losses and increased production costs. Governments also experience considerable losses from investing in food production and waste management when food ends up being discarded. Tackling food loss and waste is the key to promoting social equity. By ensuring food resources are shared more fairly, we can actively work towards reducing the gaps that stop marginalised populations from getting the food they need.
Efforts to Combat Food Loss and Waste
Numerous initiatives, both global and local, are underway to tackle food loss and waste.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG 12.3, aims to cut global food waste per capita by half at retail and consumer levels, while also mitigating food losses across production and supply chains by 2030. From a governmental standpoint, many strategies from numerous countries have enacted policies and regulations to curtail food waste, encompassing initiatives like advocating food donation, refining labelling practices, and endorsing endeavours for food recovery.
Collaborative efforts between non-profit organisations, retailers, restaurants, and food producers form food recovery programmes, facilitating the retrieval of surplus food for redistribution. Further aiding this cause, campaigns to enhance public awareness and education help consumers feel empowered to make smart choices, and correctly interpret food labels to minimise household food waste. Moreover, technological strides including enhanced storage techniques, pioneering packaging solutions, and data analytics are proving instrumental in advancing the battle against food loss and waste.
Current Efforts Nestlé, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, had been actively working to reduce food waste across its operations and supply chain. Recently Nestle and Cargill have teamed up on a new scheme that will take cocoa shells discarded from a chocolate factory and transform them into low-carbon fertiliser. Using cocoa shell offer the same benefits as bark mulch but it keeps weeds at bay, protects plants and prevents water evaporation. In Switzerland, Nestlé is part of an industry-wide pledge, in partnership with the government, to halve food loss and waste by 2030. Nestlé is described as a ‘Waste Warrior Brand’ to help prevent food loss and waste at the consumer level.
Conclusion
The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste serves as a reminder of the critical need to address this global issue. By understanding the causes, consequences, and efforts to combat this challenge, we can work together to create a more sustainable food system. As individuals, communities, and nations, we have a shared responsibility to reduce food loss and waste, not only to ensure a more abundant and accessible food supply for all but also to protect our environment and social well-being.
https://www.wfp.org/stories/5-facts-about-food-waste-and-hunger#:~:text=1.,worth%20approximately%20US%241%20trillion.
https://www.wwf.eu/?4049841/fifteen-per-cent-of-food-is-lost-before-leaving-the-farm-WWF-report
https://www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk/why-hunger/world-hunger-fact
https://www.unep.org/resources/report/unep-food-waste-index-report-2021
Comments