Tackling food waste: The EU’s contribution to a global issue

In spite of the availability of food, there is still malnutrition in the world. Food is lost or wasted throughout the supply chain, from initial agricultural production down to final consumers. In developed countries, a significant amount of food is wasted at the consumption stage, meaning that it is discarded even though still suitable for human consumption. In developing countries food is lost mostly at the farmer ‐ producer end of the food supply chain; much less food is wasted at consumer level.

Experts assert that the largest part of food waste in developed countries is produced by households and is linked mainly to urbanisation, changes in the composition of diets, and large ‐ scale mass distribution.

Overall, on a per‐capita basis, much more food is wasted in the industrialised world than in developing countries. In the EU, food waste has been estimated at some 89 million tonnes, or 180 kg per capita per year.

Food losses and waste have negative environmental economic impacts and their existence raises questions for society. The EU is contributing to reducing food waste mainly through its commitment to halve the disposal of edible food in the EU by 2020. Various national initiatives also aim to attain this goal. The European Parliament has called for 2014 to be designated as 'European year against food waste'.

ESO: Background information: World Food Day: Commission underlines commitment to reducing food waste in Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-world-food-day-commission-underlines-commitment-to-reducing-food-waste-in-europe/

ESO: Background information: Technology options for feeding 10 billion people: Options for cutting food waste http://www.europeansources.info/record/technology-options-for-feeding-10-billion-people-options-for-cutting-food-waste/

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