Today is the first-ever International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.
In the EU, around 88 million tonnes of food waste are generated annually with associated costs estimated at 143 billion euros (FUSIONS, 2016).
Wasting food is not only an ethical and economic issue but it also depletes the environment of limited natural resources. By reducing food losses and waste to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals, we can also:
- support the fight against climate change (food waste alone generates about 8% of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions)
- save nutritious food for redistribution to those in need, helping to eradicate hunger and malnutrition (some 33 million people in the EU cannot afford a quality meal every second day)
- save money for farmers, companies and households.
All actors in the food chain have a role to play in preventing and reducing food waste, from those who produce and process foods (farmers, food manufacturers and processors) to those who make foods available for consumption (hospitality sector, retailers) and ultimately consumers themselves.
The central goal of EU food safety policy is to protect both human and animal health. We cannot compromise on these standards but, in co-operation with Member States and stakeholders, are looking for every opportunity to prevent food wasteand strengthen sustainability of the food system.
For more, watch the video of th EC released today