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FOOD WASTE MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
TEAM MEMBERS:
o Namrata Choudhury
o Bethany Srishti Roy Das
o Som Appaiya
o Priyaan Chakraborty
o Rishaan Ray Food getting Food
o Aarushi Chakraborty provided to waste
o Markus Silvia Vinicent hungered managem
people ent
methods
Data on Food Wastage in India: 78 million
food is wasted every year in Indian
households. INDIA AND ITS
Rank of India in Food Wastage: India ranks W A S TA G E
111 out of 125 countries in Global Hunger
Index.
Enough to Feed a State: The amount of food
wasted in India annually can feed the state of
Bihar for a year
Reasons for Food Wastage: Food wastage in
India is a complex issue that involves social,
cultural, and economic factors
Food Wastage is HUGE issue in INDIA
By Priyaan
WHAT IS THE GOVENRMENT/UNITED
NATIONS DOING ABOUT THIS?
• • A challenge for the Indian agricultural sector today is to feed its
It is estimated that saving
ever-growing population, even though India’s foodgrain
one-fourth of the food production has kept steady pace with its population. Total
currently lost or wasted foodgrain production during 2015-16 was estimated at 252.23
million tonnes, five times higher compared to 50 million tonnes in
globally would be enough 1950-51.
to feed 870 million hungry • However, adequate food production is not sufficient to ensure
people in the world. food security. Not all food produced is consumed, as an enormous
amount of food is lost or wasted. A 2011 Food and Agriculture
• Op-Ed by Shyam Khadka, Organization (FAO) report puts this figure at one third of the food
FAO's representative in India: produced in the world for human consumption every year, which
is approximately 1.3 billion tonnes.
• Agriculture, along with its • It is estimated that saving one-fourth of the food currently lost or
allied sectors, is the largest wasted globally would be enough to feed 870 million hungry
people in the world, of which the highest number (about 194.6
source of livelihood in India. million) are in India. Maximum food loss happens during transit
About 82 per cent of the from farm to fork, especially to urban markets. These losses not
country’s farmers are small only impact producers with reduced income and consumers with
increased costs, but also challenge overall food security.
and marginal, having holdings
less than one hectare. Over By Priyaan
The UN, as we know has multiple divisions.
One such division is the UN
Environment Programme (UNEP). This branch
of the UN tackles issues such as
food waste. In this project, we will be focusing
on the topic that is food waste
By Bethany
Reports indicate that India wastes a significant amount of
food each year.
⇙
Some sources suggest that India is second only to China
in terms of food waste. This waste occurs at various
stages, from production and distribution to consumption.
Several factors contribute to this issue, including:
✮inefficient farming practices
✮inadequate storage facilities
✮consumer behavior
The consequences of food waste are far-reaching,
impacting not only the economy but also the environment
and social equity.
By Bethany
NOTABLE FOOD WASTE
ORGANISATIONS IN INDIA
Robin Hood Army: This volunteer-based
The Food Safety and organization focuses on eliminating hunger and
Standards Authority of food waste. Their volunteers, known as
India (FSSAI) is "Robins," collect surplus food from restaurants
responsible for regulating and distribute it to those in need in various cities.
and promoting food safety,
including initiatives to Akshaya Patra
reduce food waste. Foundation: This is the
world's largest NGO-run
school meal program.
They provide nutritious
The National Food Security Act (NFSA) aims to
meals to millions of
provide subsidized food grains to a significant portion
children across India,
of the population, which can indirectly help reduce
combating classroom
waste by ensuring access to food.
hunger and supporting
education.
By Bethany
COUNTRIES WE HAVE
SELECTED:
• Spain
• United States of America
• India
By Aarushi
United sates of AMERICA
The United States wastes between 30–40% of its
food supply each year, which is roughly 92 billion
pounds or 145 billion meals. This amounts to over
$473 billion worth of food.
Why is this food wasted?
•Food waste is the single largest category of
material in landfills.
•Food waste can negatively impact food
security, the environment, and climate
change.
By Aarushi
FAQS ON U.S.A
1. What causes food loss and waste?
Food loss occurs for many reasons, with some types of loss—such as spoilage—occurring at every
stage of the production and supply chain . Between the farm gate and retail stages, food loss can
arise from problems during drying, milling , transporting, or processing that expose food to damage
by insects, rodents, birds and bacteria.
At the retail level, equipment malfunction (such as faulty cold storage), over-ordering, and culling of
blemished produce can result in food loss. Consumers also contribute to food loss when they buy or
cook more than they need and choose to throw out the extras
2. How is food loss and waste defined in the context of the
U.S. reduction goal?
USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) defines food loss as the edible amount of food, postharvest,
that is available for human consumption but is not consumed for any reason. It includes cooking loss
and natural shrinkage (for example, moisture loss); loss from mold, pests, or inadequate climate
control; and food waste. For the reduction goal, USDA is adopting the convention of using the general
term “food loss and waste” to describe reductions in edible food mass anywhere along the food
chain. In some of the statistics and activities surrounding recycling, the term “waste” is stretched to
include non-edible (by humans) parts of food such as banana peels, bones, and egg shells.
By Aarushi
What are some ways to reduce food loss and w
The best approach to reducing food loss and waste is not to create it in the first
place. Waste can be avoided by improving product development, storage,
shopping/ordering, marketing, labeling, and cooking methods. If excess food is
unavoidable, recover it to donate to hunger-relief organizations so that they can
feed people in need. Inedible food can be recycled into other products such as
animal feed, compost and worm castings, bioenergy, bioplastics and clothing
By Aarushi
SPAIN
• In 2022, Spanish households wasted 1.17 billion kilograms of food, which is
about 65.5 kilograms per adult per year.
• In 2020, 75% of Spanish households threw away food and drink.
• Food waste in households is greater when eating at home than when eating
out.
Why is this food wasted?
Food waste in Spain is prevalent due to a combination
of factors including over-purchasing by consumers,
poor food management practices in supermarkets
and restaurants, large portions served at eateries,
inadequate storage at home, a lack of awareness
about food waste, and seasonal fluctuations in
demand, particularly during peak tourist seasons,
Spain's Commitment to Reducing Food Waste: A Global Example
Spain is taking significant strides in the fight against food waste, demonstrating
a strong commitment to this critical global issue.
•National Legislation: Spain has recently approved a draft bill focused on preventing
food waste. This legislation aims to establish a clear framework for reducing food loss and
waste across the entire food supply chain, from production to consumption.
•Key Pillars: The Spanish initiative is built on four fundamental principles:
• Economic efficiency
• Preservation of natural resources
• Social justice
• Ethical considerations
•Prioritization: The legislation emphasizes a hierarchy of food use, prioritizing human
consumption above all else. When food is not suitable for humans, it should be used for
animal feed or energy production.
•Collaboration: Spain promotes collaboration between businesses and food banks or
NGOs to facilitate the donation of surplus food.
•Education: Recognizing the importance of awareness, Spain is actively involved in
educating the public about the impact of food waste and ways to minimize it.
Spain's efforts align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly
Goal 12.3, which aims to halve global food waste by 2030.
By implementing comprehensive strategies and fostering a culture of
responsibility, Spain is setting a positive example for other nations to follow in
the global effort to combat food waste.
FAQS ON SPAIN
1.What is the government trying
to do about the problem ?
Spain has passed laws and introduced other initiatives to reduce food waste,
including:
•Mandatory food donations: Large food stores must donate surplus food
to food banks or non-governmental organizations
•Tax incentives: Tax incentives encourage food donations
•Regulatory benefits: Companies that save food receive regulatory
benefits
•Voluntary agreements: Producers and retailers have signed agreements
to reduce food waste
•Food redistribution: Measures are in place to redistribute food
•Food valorisation: Measures are in place to create new market
opportunities for food
•Fines: Supermarkets are fined for discarding unsold food
•Doggy bags: Restaurants must offer "doggy bags" for leftovers
•Education: Campaigns are in place to educate consumers about food
2.Is it possible to stop food waste any time soon?
Yes it is possible but only if the people start implementing the laws set
by the government. Spain's national circular economy strategy, Circular
Spain 2030, aims to reduce food waste. The strategy also seeks to
distribute food resources more equitably.
3.How is affecting environment?
Food waste in Spain significantly impacts the environment
by contributing to greenhouse gas emissions through methane
production from landfills, wasting valuable resources like water and
land used to grow food, and increasing energy consumption associated
with food production, transportation, and processing, all of which
contribute to climate change;with Spain ranking relatively high in per
capita food waste, this issue is particularly concerning.
INDIA
• In 2022–2023, India wasted 74 million tons of food, which is 22% of the
country's foodgrain output.
• This is equivalent to about 1% of India's GDP.
• The restaurant industry is a major contributor to food waste in India.
• Households in India produce more food waste than the private sector.
Why is this food wasted?
Food wastage in India occurs due to a combination of factors including poor
storage facilities, improper transportation, overproduction, market preferences
for specific appearances, cultural practices, inadequate infrastructure at the farm
level, and consumer habits like buying more than needed and not properly
utilizing leftovers, leading to significant waste of perishable items like fruits,
vegetables, and rice.
FAQS ON INDIA
1.What is the government doing to solve this?
•Public awareness campaigns:
•Launch large-scale campaigns through media channels to educate the public about the issue of fo
waste, its
•environmental and social impacts, and simple ways to reduce waste at home.
•Incorporate food waste awareness in school curriculums.
•Household practices:
•Promote mindful shopping by encouraging people to buy only what they need and plan meals
effectively.
•Teach proper food storage methods to extend shelf life.
•Encourage the practice of using leftovers creatively to minimize waste.
•Food service industry initiatives:
•Encourage restaurants to offer flexible portion sizes and promote " doggy bag" options to reduce
waste.
•Support food recovery programs where surplus food from restaurants can be donated to charities
•Policy and regulation:
•Implement legislation to mandate food waste reduction targets for businesses and food producers
•Incentivize sustainable food production practices that minimize losses throughout the supply chai
•Community engagement:
•Support local food banks and community kitchens that distribute surplus food to those in need.
•Establish partnerships between NGOs, businesses, and government agencies to implement food w
reduction
2. What is the main cause of food wastage
Right after harvest, thein India?
food commodities begin to
deteriorate in quality if they are not handled properly.
This includes poor transportation facilities, overloading
in warehouses, the warehouses being maintained very
poorly and finally improper handling during
What is the rank of India in food wasta
distribution.
The United Nations Environment Programme estimates
that India wastes 74 million tonnes of food each year,
representing a loss of 92,000 crore rupees, and securing
India second rank (after China) on a list that no nation
should want to top
FACTS ABOUT FOOD
WASTAGE
• One-fifth of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted
globally. This amounts to one billion meals a day.
• 2. The total cost of food loss and waste for the global economy is
estimated at roughly US$1 trillion.
• 3. Food loss and waste generates up to 10 per cent of global
greenhouse gas emissions – almost five times the total emissions
compared to the aviation sector.
• 4. Sixty percent of food waste happens at household level.
• 5. Food waste is higher in hotter countries, both at the household
level and in the post-harvest phase, with high temperatures affecting
storage, processing and transportation of food.
T H A N K YO U ! !
