In 2018, WRAP reported that there were 9.5 million tonnes of food waste estimated in the UK, equating to a loss of £19 billion and 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. (WRAP, 2020) When food is lost or wasted, it impacts the environment, the economy and availability of resources at a time when many people cannot access enough food to eat. In support of WRAP/IGD’s Food Waste Reduction Roadmap, IFST has created new food waste resources, to raise awareness and help prevent food waste.
Dr Gavin Milligan – Chair of Sustainability Steering Group commented, “Wasted food has far-reaching environmental consequences as well as being a major social and economic issue and IFST is keen to help members navigate the complexities. Through WRAP/IGD’s Food Waste Reduction Roadmap, the UK has a world-leading process for the entire food system to work together on addressing the challenge.”
Information statement on Food Waste
The Food Waste Information Statement outlines the leading causes of food wastage across the food system, its impacts, how it is measured and strategies to reduce it. There are a multitude of ways to combat food wastage, but as the main causes differ depending on country, sector and food type, it would be most efficient for individuals and organisations to focus on those major causes pertinent to their situation, all of which are outlined in the Information Statement.
Direct link to IFST Food Waste Information Statement; https://www.ifst.org/resources/information-statements/food-waste
You can access the IFST Food Waste Information Statement along with Information Statements on other topics (e.g. Food Allergy, Nanotechnology and Food Authenticity) on our website, please visit: https://www.ifst.org/our-resources/food-science-facts/food-science-fact-sheets
Food Science Fact Sheet on Food Waste
Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) has released a new Food Science Fact Sheet to provide clear, concise and scientifically reliable information on this topic particularly aimed at helping to inform consumers and to help them make informed decisions about how to reduce food waste, especially in the home.
IFST’s Food Science Factsheets have been designed to provide the public with clear, concise and scientifically reliable information on a range of food science and technology topics. They have been peer-reviewed by IFST’s Scientific Committee and so can be relied upon as a trusted and independent source of information.
The Food Science Fact Sheet on Food Waste answers the following questions:
- ‘Why does food waste matter?’
- ‘What is food waste?’
- ‘How can food waste be prevented?’
- ‘How can I waste less food?’ as well as providing ‘top tips for reducing your food waste’.
Direct link to IFST Food Waste Food Science Fact Sheet; https://www.ifst.org/sites/default/files/Food_Waste.pdf
You can access this Food Science Fact Sheet along with fact sheets on other topics (e.g. food hygiene ratings, hand hygiene and food allergens) on our website, please visit: https://www.ifst.org/our-resources/food-science-facts/food-science-fact-sheets
IFST will also be running a series of webinars during the autumn/winter period. The webinars will cover the definitions of food waste, the food waste/loss occurring during creation of finished edible products and at the consumer-facing end of value chain, and how food waste can be best utilised, for example, to help feed those in need. For upcoming events see: https://www.ifst.org/events
IFST produces a range of publications on topics within food science and technology. From its quarterly magazine to extensive guides, IFST publications are a reliable source for everything food science and technology.