Food waste is a massive issue that has a significant impact on the environment and issues of climate change. Approximately 1/3rd of all food produced worldwide is wasted. This represents a huge loss of resources, as not only the food but also the land, fertilisers, water and greenhouse gases used in its production and transportation are wasted.
In the UK, some of the most commonly wasted foods are bread, milk, fruits and vegetables, with an estimated 40% of bread wasted in UK homes every year. Moreover, throughout the supply chain, the highest proportion of food waste in the UK is generated at the household level. Every year, UK households waste 6.5 million tonnes of food every year, the majority of which is edible (69%). These statistics highlight that consumers are a major part of the issue, which is both disappointing yet empowering as it shows consumers can make a big difference. For retailers, many foods are rejected on the basis of surplus or rigid standards set by buyers e.g. regarding size, shape, colour and cosmetic defects.
Whilst food waste is a multifaceted, complex issue, we can all do our part to help reduce its detrimental environmental impact. Love Food Hate Waste is a great resource that provides helpful tips and creative recipes to reduce household contributions to food waste. Some tips include reducing fridge temperatures to 5°C to keep food fresh for longer, freezing food that cannot be consumed before expiry and understanding date labels (e.g. ‘use by’, ‘best before’).
Moreover, many companies have joined the mission to end food waste such as food collection app Too Good To Go, fruit and vegetable delivery box Oddbox and breweries that utilise surplus bread, Toast. If you’d like to find out more information on the issue of food waste the IFST has recently uploaded an insightful webinar series on the topic.
Written by
Gabriella Lau
Post Graduate Representative for the IFST Student Group