Millions of people still suffer from hunger and malnutrition, despite the fact that the planet produces enough food to feed everyone. [1]. That’s why this year’s celebration of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (FLW), on 29 September, is more important than ever. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are urging governments to “stop food loss and waste». For the people. For the planet.” [2].
This effort aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3, which aims to halve global food waste by 2030 and reduce food losses across food production and supply chains. chains [3].
Food Loss vs. Food Waste
Just to clarify things, we can distinguish between food loss and food waste. FAO describes food loss as when food becomes unfit for human consumption, usually during production, processing, or distribution.
On the other hand, food waste happens at the consumer level—when edible food is discarded due to spoilage, expiration, or simply poor planning. While FLW can occur at different stages along food value chains, food loss typically occurs earlier in the value chain during production, processing, and distribution, while food waste occurs during consumption.
Globally, 74 kg of food per person is wasted every year. According to some estimates,1.4 billion hectares of agricultural land are used to produce food that is never eaten. This waste leads to significant economic losses, with $400 billion worth of food lost annually between harvest and sale, while 17% of global food production is wasted before it reaches consumers[4].
The scale of this problem highlights the urgent need for solutions, particularly as global food insecurity grows. In 2021 alone, 13.2% of food was lost post-harvest, while 19% of food available to consumers was wasted in 2022. Reducing this waste not only alleviates hunger but also aids in combating climate change and conserving resources like land, water, and energy.
The hidden crisis of fish waste
In the aquatic food sector, FLW is equally alarming but often overlooked. FAO estimates that 35% of aquatic food is lost or wasted globally, much of it during fishing or post-harvest stages. A prime example is fish discards—when fish are thrown back into the sea, they often die. This practice alone accounts for 7.5 million tons of wasted fish annually, valued at $22.5 billion.
The loss drivers along the fish value chain vary, from discarding fish at sea due to low value to processing losses on land, where heads, tails, and other parts are thrown away. Even retail and household consumption contribute to waste—through spoiled stock or unconsumed leftovers.
Is there a way out?
Innovative solutions, like those developed by OptiFish, can have a significant impact on reducing aquatic food loss by integrating technologies to enable more efficient catch management and minimise discards.
Addressing food loss and waste is essential for reducing hunger, improving food security, protecting the environment, and combating climate change. Reducing FLW is a win-win solution that promotes sustainable resource use, economic stability, and environmental protection.
Countries and communities can collaborate to tackle this global challenge by investing in solutions, raising awareness, and embracing sustainable practices. After all, reducing food loss and waste is not just about saving food—it’s about saving the planet.
Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
