Food Waste Index Report 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

It's a peculiar paradox that while millions suffer from starvation, vast quantities of food grains are squandered. The staggering statistics on food wastage juxtaposed with the prevalence of hunger, as disclosed by the United Nations, are indeed eye-opening. According to their findings, the daily wastage of food grains surpasses the number of people worldwide who go to bed hungry each night. Primarily, hotel and restaurant proprietors bear the greatest responsibility in this regard. The UN's report for 2022 reveals that a staggering 19 percent of global grain production, approximately 1.05 billion tonnes, was squandered. Monitoring efforts like the UN Environment Programme's Food Waste Index aim to track countries' advancements toward halving food waste by 2030.

Necessary Shifts in Behavior and Attitude to Combat Food Waste:

• The alarming statistics attributing food waste to households underscore the urgency for change to commence within our own dwellings. Adopting a calculated approach to grocery shopping, minimizing reliance on single-use packaging, making conscientious choices when dining out, and reevaluating extravagant banquet spreads at events are all pivotal steps in curbing waste.
• At the grassroots level, individuals can actively engage with initiatives like Coimbatore-based No Food Waste, which focus on redistributing surplus food to feed the hungry and needy. Cultivating a mindset of prudence in food consumption is the subsequent logical progression. Transitioning from a mentality of food abundance to one of food scarcity, we must strive toward the overarching goal of zero waste, thus promoting sustainability and addressing hunger in tandem.

Impact of Food Loss and Waste

• In a world where hunger has been steadily increasing since 2014, the significance of reducing food losses and waste cannot be overstated. Every day, vast quantities of edible food are lost or wasted, squandering valuable resources such as water, land, energy, labor, and capital that were utilized in its production. Moreover, the disposal of food waste in landfills contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.
• Furthermore, the decomposition of food waste in landfills produces harmful byproducts such as toxins and leachate, which seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater. Overflowing landfills have become a primary source of issues like blocked drains, soil degradation, and water pollution. By reducing food waste, not only can pollution associated with wasted food be mitigated, but significant amounts of energy and resources can also be conserved across the entire food production and distribution chain.

Importance of Reducing Food Loss and Waste

• Efforts to reduce food loss close to the source, such as at the farm level, are most effective in addressing food insecurity and reducing pressure on land and water resources. Conversely, targeting reductions in food waste downstream in the supply chain and at the consumer level is crucial for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
• The most substantial improvements in food security are anticipated through reducing food losses during early stages of the supply chain, particularly on-farm and during harvest, especially in regions with high levels of food insecurity. Additionally, mitigating nutrient loss resulting from both quantitative and qualitative food loss and waste presents an opportunity to combat malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
• Furthermore, by reducing food waste, methane emissions from landfills can be decreased, thereby lowering the overall carbon footprint. This conservation of energy and resources not only helps prevent pollution associated with various stages of food production, but it also encompasses the energy and resources expended in the transportation and disposal of food waste.

Way Forward

• Educate Children: Raise awareness among children about the significance of food and the environmental impact of food waste.
• Donate Uneaten Food: Cultivate a habit of donating leftover food from household gatherings to local charities through NGOs in your vicinity.
• Practice Food Safety: Adhere to essential food safety measures to prevent food wastage.
• Implement Food Waste Audits: Conduct food waste audits to identify the reasons and patterns behind food wastage, aiding in devising effective solutions.
• Ensure Proper Storage: Maintain appropriate temperature and storage conditions for perishable items to prolong their shelf life.
• Monitor Refrigeration: Regularly monitor fridge and freezer temperatures, check seals, and rotate stock to minimize spoilage and food wastage.
• Legislation and Initiatives: Emulate successful models like France's mandatory donation of unsold food items to charities or farmers for conversion into fertilizers.
• Food Recovery Programs: Follow Canada's lead in recovering unused food items from manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants to prepare thousands of meals daily.
• Embrace Recycling: Adopt Sweden's recycling revolution approach, where a minimal amount of household waste is sent to landfills, with a significant portion being converted into energy.