Currently, more than a 1/3 of the world’s food products are wasted. These figures collide with those of countries that suffer severe famine, so, little by little, it has begun to fight this high percentage turned into food loss. There are different definitions on the waste of food that hinders the task of quantifying the exact amount of discarded foods daily. It is for this reason that, in this article of Ecology Verde, we want to teach you more about the Causes of the waste of food and consequences, in addition to how to avoid it.
What is food waste
We can summarize that food waste encompasses any type of lost food during the supply process between the producer and the consumerto the point where he eats or discards it. This discard or non -food use of safe products for people’s food is beginning to be a serious problem in first world countries, which also affects developing or third world countries.
The waste of food in Spain in 2022 is not yet known exactly, but we do have data from the previous year. Only In Spain They wasted 1,245 million kilos/liters of food during 2021according to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Although it is a shocking fact, the truth is that it is 8.6% that the year 2020. On the other hand, according to statista, the food waste index in 2021 worldwide was up to 931 million tons.
Now that you know this data on the food waste index in 2021, we will know what are the main causes of food waste.
Causes of food waste
The causes of food waste vary, but all of them have to do with the lack of management in the different processes through which the food passes. Therefore, among the main causes of food waste We can highlight:
Problems prior to harvesting
This is one of the main causes of food waste, either produced For pests, misuse of fertilizers or other collection problems. They also enter into these causes the bad storage and poor execution of transport, either due to negligence or other agents external to the harvest.
We tell you what fertilizers and their types are, below.
Lack of infrastructure
Another of the main causes of food waste is the lack of market or poor conditioning of them, as well as some prices that do not fit to the products demanded for consumption. This causes that the vast majority of these foods cannot be acquired and that they end up rotting and spoiling.
Lack of management in fresh products
Many of these food products are discarded before their expiration date, still being optimal for consumption. Even within the chain, many are discarded by Do not meet aesthetic standards as color, shape or size.
It is also usual that Because of transport or packaging Be removed from the cold chain, so they are discarded without checking their true state. This happens both in houses and companies.
Prepare excessive food amounts
Another cause of waste food is that, both at home and In business and restaurantsexcessive amounts of food are prepared and that, many times, not eating it at that time, throwing it into the trash.
While many people also keep the leftovers in colders or tuppers in the fridge to eat in the following days, many others directly discard them, something that also happens in many restaurants.
Other causes of food waste
We have commented on the main causes that are in food waste, but there are also many others that have a lower weight but, not for that reason, they are less important and we must pay less attention. These causes of food waste are:
- Geographical difference: When there are great distances, food life decreases from its starting point to its final destination. The probability that these foods arrive in good condition is low.
- Disinformation and awareness: The population is not aware of the great consequences of food waste, so they continue to throw food.
- Political disinterest: Public, judicial and political administrations are not responsible enough to promote good care and consumption of food.
CONSEQUENCES OF FOOD WASTE
Regarding the main consequences of food waste We can see that these are both environmental problems and, of course in society and health.
Environmental problems
One of the first data we find within the consequences of the loss of food It is the WASHERED WATER VOLUME For its production. We talk about a total of 8,060 m³/s every year. To this are added the 3,300 million tons of greenhouse gases that are discharged to the planet’s atmosphere during the process, plus those produced with their discharge.
Economic problems
According to FAO, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, in addition to these environmental impacts, these food waste involves a loss of loss of More than 75.00 billion of dollars every year.
Another problem of the are the Global Management Expenses produced by hospital waste. It is estimated that the average losses for food waste is around € 2/kg, not counting the costs of employees and time and energy to prepare the rations of each day. This would give a total loss of about € 10,000/annual.
Social problems
It is not very difficult to imagine what would mean a better food management In countries of the Third World. The problem of food waste is much closer to us than we believe. In Spain alone, more than two million people feed exclusively on social dining rooms. Of these, most are minors who, once the school year is finished, do not have the necessary foods for their growth and health.
Now that you know the main problems of food waste, let’s see what we can do to avoid it.
How to avoid food waste
After reading why food is wasted, without a doubt, one of the best solutions to Avoid food waste It would be one lower production or a base in real consumption databases. In this way, more efficient use of Earth and water would be achieved, to avoid not only food loss, but also to avoid a greater impact on the environment.
Likewise, we leave here some useful tips for you to contribute your grain of sand to this cause.
- Purchase With what is necessary: as an idea of dishes menu per week. This will avoid forgetting food and you will use only what is necessary for day to day, in addition to saving money.
- Keep food well: Therefore, it is advisable that meat products and other products such as bread are involved individually before placing them in the freezer. Always leave the oldest in front.
- Differentiate between the expiration date and the Preferred Consumer Date: The expiration date refers to the fact that it must be consumed before the indicated date. However, when we find the label of consuming preferably it only refers to that product may have lost some of its properties, but it is suitable for consumption.
If you want to read more articles similar to Food waste: causes, consequences and how to avoid itwe recommend that you enter our category of other ecology.
