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Food Waste

Food Loss Overview

It is estimated that about a third of all food grown or raised is lost prior to consumption.

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Losses by phase of production are compounding, meaning that the numbers are the share of product that enters the given phase that is lost during the phase. Poorer countries tend to have greater losses on the production side, while wealthier countries has greater losses on the consumption side. Source: Gustavsson et al. 1.

Problem:
Food Waste Due to Label Confusion - U.S.
Solution:
Standardized Food Labeling - U.S.
Problem:
Food Waste Due to Packaging - U.S.
Solution:
Sell Certain Types of Produce Loose - U.S.
Problem:
Food Waste Due to Inventory Management
Solution:
First Expired First Out Food Inventory Management- US
Problem:
Food Waste
Solution:
Food Outlets Should Make Near-Expired Food Available

Preharvest Losses

Not included above is preharvest losses of food. Factors contributing to preharvest losses include diseases, animal pests, weeds, and abiotic stresses. For grains, these losses amount to about a third of what could be grown.

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Data Source: 2.

Better plant breeds could reduce these losses by 520 million tons (300 mmt preharvest losses and 220 mmt in storage) 2.

Problem:
Preharvest Losses
Solution:
CRISPR Genetic Modification

Postharvest Losses

Postharvest losses, generally considered in the harvesting and storage phases, vary widely.

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Sources: 3, 4.

In addition to tonnage lost, postharvest losses take the form of a reduction of quality 5. A study by McKinsey estimates the worldwide annual cost of postharvest losses to be $60 billion 6.

Better use of chemicals and other tools could reduce postharvest losses 7.

Problem:
Post Harvest Losses - Tanzania
Solution:
Hermetic Storage Bags
Problem:
Postharvest Losses
Solution:
Better Storage Silos

Overeating

Overeating, or the consumption of food in excess of recommended intake, is also a form of food waste.

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Absolute impacts are reported by Toti, Di Mattia, and Serafini 8. Overall world agricultural impacts are determined as follows: mass, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions from FAOSTAT 9 and water from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development 10.

Problem:
Food Waste
Solution:
Reduce Restaurant Meal Size

Junk Food

Discretionary foods are those that contribute little to a person's dietary needs. They are typically high in saturated fat, sugar, salt, and/or alcohol 11.

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Source: Hadjikakou 12.

References

  1. Gustavsson, J., Cederberg, C., Sonesson, U., van Otterdijk, R., Meybeck, A. "Global food losses and waste: Extent, causes, and prevention". Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2011. ↩

  2. Mesterházy, Á, Oláh, J., Popp, J. "Losses in the Grain Supply Chain: Causes and Solutions". Sustainability 12(6). March 2020. ↩ ↩2

  3. Blanckenberg, A., Linus Opara, U., Amos Fawole, O. "Postharvest Losses in Quantity and Quality of Table Grape (cv. Crimson Seedless) along the Supply Chain and Associated Economic, Environmental and Resource Impacts". Sustainability 13(8): 4450. April 2021. ↩

  4. Kumar, D., Kalita, P. "Reducing Postharvest Losses during Storage of Grain Crops to Strengthen Food Security in Developing Countries". Foods 6(1). January 2017. ↩

  5. Strecker, K., Bitzer, V., Kruijssen, F. "Critical stages for post-harvest losses and nutrition outcomes in the value chains of bush beans and nightshade in Uganda". Food Security 14, pp. 411-426. January 2022. ↩

  6. Claes, J. De Clercq, D., Denis, N., Fiocco, D., Katz, J. "How to reduce postharvest crop losses in the agricultural supply chain". McKinsey & Company. November 2021. ↩

  7. Yahaya, S. M., Mardiyya, A. Y. "Review of Post-Harvest Losses of Fruits and Vegetables". Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research. January 2019. ↩

  8. Toti, E., Di Mattia, C., Serafini, M. "Metabolic Food Waste and Ecological Impact of Obesity in FAO World's Region". Frontiers in Nutrition 6, p. 126. 2019. ↩

  9. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "FAOSTAT". ↩

  10. World Business Council for Sustainable Development. "Facts and trends: water". March 2006. ↩

  11. Australian Bureau of Statistics. "Australian Health Survey: Nutrition First Results - Foods and Nutrients". May 2014. ↩

  12. Hadjikakou, M. "Trimming the excess: environmental impacts of discretionary food consumption in Australia". Ecological Economics 131, pp. 119-128. January 2017. ↩