Food production around the world falls well short of what is consumed there. According to the UNEP's (United Nations Environment Programme) food wastage index report, 68,760,163 tonnes of food is wasted annually in Indian homes, or approximately 50 kilograms per person.?
The issue of worldwide food wastage has a major effect on society, the environment and the economy. According to estimates, 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked with food that is not consumed by the consumers. Unbelievably, one-third of the food that is produced worldwide is either lost or wasted.?
The food waste index research has drawn attention to the widespread issue of domestic food waste and supports initiatives in developing nations. The reason for the gap between the food produced and that consumed is due to wastage and poor management.?
A majority of people are frequently guilty of leaving some food unfinished on their plates. Food loss and waste doesnĄ¯t just impact the environment, it has consequences on the economy as well.
According to the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), one-third of all food in India is wasted or gets spoilt before it is eaten. According to the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021, household food waste in India is estimated to be around 50 kg per person annually, or 68.76 million tonnes.?
These losses take place across the supply chain - during transit, storage, and marketing - as well as in homes, on dining tables and in kitchens. Due to the propensity to buy or prepare more food than can be consumed by families or visitors at social gatherings, a sizable amount of food typically goes uneaten and is thrown away. Another factor is the lack of refrigeration and cold-storage facilities.
These unconsumed goods account for 8¨C10% of worldwide carbon emissions. The carbon footprint of food waste is estimated to be 3.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases discharged into the environment each year.?
Wasting food is an irresponsible act and increases the garbage load, thereby adding up to the pressure on the waste management mechanism. While the trash finds its way into landfills, it goes straight into water bodies oftentimes. However, food wastage is an environmental issue as well as a social or humanitarian one.?
We waste not only the food itself, but also the water and energy needed to grow, harvest, transport and package it. Additionally, rotting foods in landfills releases methane, an even more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Asthma, birth deformities, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, childhood cancer, COPD, infectious diseases, low birth weight and preterm delivery are just a few of the illnesses that might strike.?
The issue that waste creates might also include bacteria, vermin and insects. The food is wasted despite requiring a lot of fresh water, land and labour to extract the produce. Food waste would rank third in the world for greenhouse gas emissions if it were a nation.
The best method to reduce food waste is to have a system for producing nutritious, healthful and sustainable food. Eating well, only purchasing foods when needed, purchasing and serving food in the required quantities and preserving food properly are some other things that could be done to prevent food wastage. People can create a composting area since food scraps can enrich the soil with nutrients and lower their carbon footprint. Up to 150 kg of food waste could potentially be avoided by home composting.?
Whenever possible, people could also donate leftover food to food banks. This option is viable for large parties and functions, where a big amount of food goes to waste. By doing so, a sense of being more wise and responsible will prevail in the minds of people. Additionally, by creating a weekly food list, people can avoid being tempted by promotional offers to buy more than what is actually needed.
Another practical solution is to freeze extra food before it starts getting stale. A record of everything in the freezer along with the date and time the food was frozen could be maintained and posted on the freezer door for easy access and better awareness.
Distributing the food that one canĄ¯t eat between friends, coworkers or the needy instead of throwing it away is a good way to avoid food wastage. If you are a part of some kind of? celebration, you may also get in touch with any of the Indian organisations that give leftover foods and catered party foods to the hungry. Consider providing leftover table or kitchen scraps to animals in need. Instead of simply tossing away leftover foods, it is more wise and kind to take the time to feed these poor creatures. The happiness of other living things can be greatly increased? by small acts of compassion from your side.
Apart from the above things, one could be mindful of their own needs and never purchase or serve themselves in excess. A major misconception that is responsible for food wastage are the dates mentioned on the food packaging.?
Understanding the difference between Best Before and Use By dates could go a long way in preventing food wastage. Best Before date conveys that the food will retain its flavours and best qualities before a certain date, it could still be used beyond that date if stored properly. Use By date conveys that a food might not be suitable for consumption beyond that date. Understanding the various aspects of food packaging could also lead to better awareness.?
The practice of hoarding foods must be kept in check as inadequate storage facilities could ruin the food products. Another major source of food wastage in India is throwing away food mindlessly if one doesnĄ¯t like the taste. Serving oneself limited quantities of food but refilling to oneĄ¯s fill is a good approach to prevent food wastage. Citizens across the globe must collectively take steps to reduce their individual carbon footprint as climate change also leads to loss of crops and eventually food crisis across the world.