Food Waste Index Report (FWIR) 2024

(Editorial : The Hindu)

The Food Waste Crisis: Insights from FWIR 2024

• The United Nations Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report (FWIR) 2024 reveals that in 2022, the world wasted 1.05 billion tonnes of food, nearly 20% of all food available to consumers.
• India ranks among the top contributors to this issue, making it a critical concern.
• This is not just about resource mismanagement but also an ethical and environmental failure that demands immediate attention.

Wastage vs. Loss

• Food Wastage: Includes both edible and inedible food discarded from manufacturing, retail, restaurants, and households.
• Food Loss: Occurs earlier in the supply chain due to poor storage, transport, and handling.
• India’s Food Waste Statistics:

1.  India is the second-highest food-wasting nation after China.
2.  Per capita household food waste: 55 kg annually (lower than the U.S. at 73 kg).
3.  However, India’s large population results in a massive volume of total food waste.
4.  Food waste contributes to climate change, economic losses, and social injustice.

The Economic and Social Impact of Food Waste:

• Global food waste costs nearly $1 trillion annually.
• 783 million people face hunger worldwide, while 78 million tonnes of food are wasted in India each year.
• Over 20 crore Indians go to bed hungry, despite India being one of the largest food producers.
• Causes of household food waste in India:

1. Over-purchasing: Buying more groceries than needed.
2. Improper meal planning: Ingredients expire due to lack of planning.
3. Limited storage facilities: Small refrigerators and inadequate pantry space.
4. Cultural habits: Cooking excess food for celebrations or guests.

• Retail waste: Poor refrigeration and short shelf life of products.
• 61% of global food waste happens at the household level, highlighting the need for better consumer education and food management.

Environmental Impact of Food Waste:

• Food production consumes vast resources—land, water, and energy.
• 10%-12% of India’s municipal waste comes from food waste, contributing to methane emissions from landfills.
• Global emissions from food waste:
•  8%-10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions come from food loss and waste.
•  If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter, after China and the U.S.

The Social Injustice of Food Waste in India:

• Despite being a major food producer, India struggles with food accessibility and affordability.
• Food waste hinders progress toward:

1. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
2. SDG 12.3 (Reducing food waste at retail and consumer levels)

• Climate change worsens food insecurity through:
•  Rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, droughts, floods, and landslides affecting crops and supply chains.

Actions to Combat Food Waste

At the Individual Level:

• Smart meal planning and shopping (stick to shopping lists).
• Efficient food storage (use airtight containers and maintain proper temperatures).
• Creative use of leftovers (turning extra food into new meals).
• Composting (using food scraps for organic fertilizer).
• Donating surplus food (to food banks and charities).

At the Systemic Level:

• Government investments in cold storage and transport infrastructure.
• Businesses adopting sustainable practices (redistributing unsold food).
• Educational institutions raising awareness about responsible consumption.

Policymaker initiatives:

• Subsidizing food redistribution networks (apps connecting surplus food to those in need).
• Funding cold storage improvements for farmers.
• Scaling up initiatives like India’s “Save Food Share Food” programme for large-scale redistribution.

Conclusion:

India is at a critical juncture—reducing food waste is key to cutting carbon footprints, ensuring food security, and reducing inequality. By making conscious food choices, reducing waste, and advocating for sustainable food systems, we can move toward a future where food is preserved, resources are used wisely, and no one goes hungry.