Enormous quantities
Approximately one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, amounting to about 1.3 billion metric tons per year. This includes both food loss (occurring during production, post-harvest, and processing stages) and food waste (occurring at the consumption stage).
Hunger and poverty
Food wastage exacerbates issues of hunger and poverty. With enough food being wasted to feed the entire population of hungry people in the world, reducing food waste could play a significant role in alleviating hunger.
Supply chain inefficiencies
Food waste occurs throughout the supply chain, including during harvesting, transportation, processing, and retail. Inadequate infrastructure, lack of storage facilities, and improper handling practices contribute to these inefficiencies.
Nutritional implications
.Food wastage not only represents a loss of calories but also a loss of essential nutrients. When edible food is discarded, it means missed opportunities to provide proper nutrition to those in need.
Collective efforts
Addressing food wastage requires collaborative efforts involving governments, businesses, and individuals. Implementing policies and regulations, raising awareness, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable consumption habits are crucial steps towards reducing food waste globally.
Social responsibility
Reducing food waste is a matter of social responsibility. Food waste implies wasting the resources used in its production, including water, energy, and labor. By minimizing food wastage, we can make more efficient use of these resources and reduce the strain on the environment.