29 September: International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

• 30 Sep 2021

• International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is observed to promote and implement global efforts to resolve the issue of food wastage.
• The theme for 2021 is “Stop Food Loss and waste, for the people, for the panet”.
• The main objective of this day is to take steps towards responsible consumption and production as well as zero hunger, along with working towards addressing the problem of climate change through sustainable food habits.

Why is it important to reduce food loss and waste?

• Loss of Resources: Food loss and waste undermine the sustainability of our food systems. When food is lost or wasted, all the resources that were used to produce this food - including water, land, energy, labour and capital - go to waste.
• Climate Change: In addition, the disposal of food loss and waste in landfills, leads to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.
• Food Security: Food loss and waste can also negatively impact food security and food availability, and contribute to increasing the cost of food.

Needed Approach

• Our food systems cannot be resilient if they are not sustainable, hence the need to focus on the adoption of integrated approaches designed to reduce food loss and waste. Actions are required globally and locally to maximise the use of the food we produce.
• The introduction of technologies, innovative solutions (including e-commerce platforms for marketing, retractable mobile food processing systems), new ways of working and good practices to manage food quality and reduce food loss and waste are key to implementing this transformative change.
• With nine years left to reach target 1, 2, and 3 of Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG), there is an urgent need to accelerate action to reduce food loss and waste.