Food Loss and Waste

Syllabus: GS3/SDGs

Context

• On September 29, the world observes the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW).

About

• In 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming an International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW).
• SDG 12 seeks to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
  • Target 12.3 aims to “halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains” by 2030.

What is Food Loss and Waste? 

• Food wastage includes edible and inedible parts discarded from the food supply chain, from manufacturing and retail to restaurants and households. 
• Food loss occurs earlier in the supply chain due to issues such as poor storage, transport and handling.

Scale of Food Loss and Waste

• Global: An estimated 13% of food – the equivalent of 1.25 billion tonnes – was lost globally after harvest and prior to reaching retail shelves in 2021 (FAO, 2023).
  • An estimated 19% of food – the equivalent of 1.05 billion tonnes – was wasted in households, food service and retail in 2022 (UNEP, 2024)
  • Households account for 60% of global food waste (UNEP, 2024).
• India: India’s position as one of the highest food-wasting nations, second only to China.
  • While the per capita household food waste in India (55 kilograms annually) is lower than other countries, India’s large population represents an immense volume of wasted food.
  • Post-harvest losses cost ~₹1.5 trillion annually (~3.7% of agricultural GDP).

Reasons for the Food Loss and Waste

• Harvesting Inefficiencies: Premature or delayed harvesting leads to the quality & quantity loss.
• Mechanisation Gaps: Limited access to harvest machinery causes damage & spillage.
• Pest & Disease Attacks: Inadequate pest control  leads to crop spoilage.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: Shortage of cold chains, warehouses, moisture-proof silos leads to the rotting/decay of the food items.
• Transport Bottlenecks: The road infrastructure is not robust and there is a lack of refrigerated transport support.
• Cultural Practices: There is a preference among people for fresh produce and avoidance of produce with blemishes.
• Household food waste arises from over-purchasing, poor meal planning, limited storage, and cultural habits of cooking in excess.
  • In urban areas, retail losses stem from poor refrigeration and short shelf life. 

Concerns of Food Loss and Waste

• Complex Challenge in India: An estimated 78 million tonnes of food are discarded each year, even as over 20 crore Indians go to bed hungry.
  • As one of the world’s largest food producers, India faces a complex challenge: abundant production alongside persistent food insecurity.
• Direct GDP Loss: In India, food wastage and loss is estimated at ₹1.5 trillion annually of GDP loss which can be avoided through more efficient and resilient food systems.
• Farmer Incomes: It leads to reduced profitability due to spoilage and wastage of produce.
• Green House Gas Emissions: Even modest percentage losses in cereals, particularly paddy, translate into more than 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2)-equivalent emissions annually, owing to the high methane intensity of rice.
  • Losses of livestock products are equally damaging because of their heavy resource footprint. 
• Burden on government schemes: The food wastage also has a cascading impact on the government food security schemes such as Public Distribution System, nutrition missions.
• Loss of Resources: The production of these food crops is a cumulative result of proper water supply, energy, fertilizer, land and labour.
  • The food lost is equivalent to the wasted water, energy, fertilizer, and land etc.

Government Initiatives

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY): Its objective is to enhance food processing infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes.
  • Components:
    • Establishment of mega food parks and cold chain facilities.
    • Support for agro-processing clusters and food testing labs.
    • Credit-linked capital subsidies for micro food processing units.
• Indian Food Sharing Alliance (IFSA):
  • Implementing Agency: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
  • Purpose: Promote food donation and reduce food waste across the supply chain.
  • Connects food businesses, NGOs, and citizens to facilitate safe redistribution of surplus food.
• Zero Waste, Zero Hunger Initiatives: Tinsukia Municipal Board’s program in Assam.
  • Approach: Collects surplus, hygienic food from hotels and restaurants.
  • Repackages and distributes it to homeless individuals.
• Promotion of Food Recovery Campaigns: “Save Food, Share Food, Share Joy” campaign by FSSAI.
  • It encourages citizens and businesses to donate surplus food.
  • Provides a platform for food recovery agencies to coordinate efforts.
• MoFPI co-ordinates with FFSAI on various issues related to quality and standards for the processed food products.

Way Ahead

• Food loss and waste is not only an issue of efficiency but also of climate justice, sustainability, and equity. 
• For India, tackling it offers a triple dividend — enhancing food security, strengthening farmer livelihoods, and advancing climate commitments. 
• The International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) underscores that saving food means saving resources, protecting the climate, and ensuring dignity for farmers and consumers alike.

Source: TH