According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN, the world wastes a staggering 1.3 billion tonnes of food per year. Food waste at consumer level in industrialised countries (222 million ton) is almost as high as the total net food production in sub-Saharan Africa (230 million ton). Per capita, food wasted by consumers in Europe and North-America is 95-115 kg/year, while this figure in sub-Saharan Africa and South/Southeast Asia is only 6-11 kg/year. Such a massive waste is taking a toll on the world’s resources and the economy.
Food waste entered the spotlight last year when the UK’s largest retailer Tesco, hit the headlines after revealing that it produced 28,500 tons of food waste in the first six months of the year. The supermarket and not-for-profit company Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) said that Tesco’s waste problem was part of a much larger issue, with the company estimating that 15 million tons of food and drink were simply thrown away each year across the UK.
It’s not just the retailers but the consumers too who are throwing away their food. With such a lot of food is being wasted, this creates a situation where the food that is available is more expensive and less people are able to get it. If the population were to grow at the rate it does and the world continues to waste as much food as it does, then ultimately somewhere down the line it could manifest itself in terms of a shortage.
The problem is how the Western world deals with food waste. The FAO can attempt to change the production process in the developing world but it can only highlight the food waste issue with industrialised nations. As it stands, in order to meet the 2050 population demand, food production needs to be raised by 60 per cent, therefore, food wastage reduction must play a part to lessen the burden on natural resources. So, next time you’re tempted by that $2 super-size cola, think twice and buy a smaller one! Food for thought?
