Minimising food waste and loss. FoodExperts weigh in.

Nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have their roots in the agricultural sector. However, when we broaden our perspective to encapsulate the entire agri-food industry (including farming, food processing, packaging, transport and waste disposal) this figure jumps to an astounding 31% of total GHG emissions.?

There’s a common misconception that agriculture and land use are the primary contributors to these emissions. Yet, recent trends tell a different tale. In many global regions, the GHG emissions from the food supply chain are on the verge of overtaking those from traditional farming and land use.?

This shift underscores the evolving landscape of environmental impact within the agri-food sector. As we learn more about the environmental impact within the agri-food sector, areas around sustainable development, such as food waste and loss, require our urgent attention.

The terms 'food waste' and 'food loss' refer to the discarding or non-consumption of food at different stages in the food supply chain. Food waste typically occurs at the retail and consumer end. Whereas food loss happens during the production, post-harvest, and processing stages.

The environmental impact of food waste and loss is a significant, yet largely unrecognised, challenge. The UN Food Waste Index Report 2021 paints a stark picture. It reveals that, each year, over 930 million tons of food is wasted. Equivalent to a staggering 17% of all food on the consumer market. Enough to fill 23 million fully loaded 40-tonne trucks, bumper to bumper, circling the Earth seven times over.?

But this issue isn’t limited to consumers or retailers. It spans the entire food supply chain. Household food waste continues to be a significant part of the problem, with nearly 570 million tons wasted annually. However, an additional 14% is attributed to food lost in retail markets during the transit, storage, or processing stages and 7% is wasted at the retail and foodservice level (FAO).?

This means almost 40% of all food produced never reaches consumers. And the truth is, a large portion could be avoided if the food industry focused on mitigating losses in the earlier stages of the supply chain.

Acknowledging this critical issue, food waste and loss are directly tied to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, SDG 12.3 sets targets to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and to reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030. So efforts to address this issue are no longer just about environmental sustainability, they also play a pivotal role in achieving global development goals.

Complexities within our current food supply chains significantly contribute to the problem. The myriad stages of food production, from farming and processing to distribution and retail, present numerous opportunities for food to be wasted or lost. This intricate network, combined with variances in regional loss rates, further compounds the issue. Estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organisation suggest that food loss rates can range from as low as 5% in Australia and New Zealand to over 20% in Central and Southern Asia.

At FoodExperts, we simplify complexity by focusing on minimising food waste and loss from the earliest stages of the supply chain. The proactive management of food quality and safety has a direct impact on the overall efficiency of the supply chain. Our services, including conducting source analyses, preserve quality and ensure food arrives safely.

This strategy prevents the large-scale food waste associated with supermarket recalls, reducing unnecessary shipping and packaging costs. We leverage artificial intelligence to monitor food quality in near-real time, providing companies with up-to-date information about their products, regardless of their source. It's all about increasing food chain transparency, understanding the markets better and detecting any issues early on.

The ultimate aim of FoodExperts is to bridge the gap between growers, exporters, and importers. Through a transparent system that facilitates decision-making, increases preparedness and significantly reduces food waste and profit loss. By partnering with Food Experts, businesses can join this critical fight and help achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Objectives.?

The goal is clear: a future where resources are managed wisely, food waste and loss are effectively curbed, and the sustainability of our planet and the prosperity of our societies is preserved.

Indira Ares Medina, ?Food Experts Produce Technician

Read the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021 here