Approaches to Limiting Food Loss and Food Waste

Considering the general context of food loss and waste, the year 2011 marked a significant turning point, with data published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimating that more than a third of the world’s food production is lost or wasted throughout the food chain. Alarmingly, this situation persisted for over a decade, until 2022, showing a regressive trajectory rather than improvement. This trend has had negative consequences, impacting economic, social, and environmental conditions, although an exact quantification of its effects remains elusive at present. Within this framework, the tandem challenges of food loss and food waste have emerged as important issues within global food systems, perpetuating a cycle of generating substantial volumes of edible food waste annually. The current chapter introduces a holistic approach designed to address the intricate facets of food loss and food waste across all stages of the food chain. In this context, this chapter proposes key and complementary measures aimed at mitigating these negative effects within relevant stages of the food chain. While the chapter does not propose to offer an exhaustive analysis, it nonetheless synthesizes the worldwide scenario, supplemented by a detailed illustration of the situation in Romania as a representative model. The research methodology involved both the examination of external data and the authors’ own published data. The chapter’s overarching conclusion underscores the resounding significance: in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 2—Zero Hunger, the reduction in food loss and food waste emerges as a solution for increasing quantities of available food for global population. This approach holds a dual boon, benefiting the environment by reducing water and land resource consumption and subsequently reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The outcomes will provide increased productivity, catalyze economic growth, and produce more sustainable societies.