Half of all world's food 'wasted' report claims

 

As much as half of the world's food, amounting to two billion tonnes worth, is wasted, a UK-based report has claimed.

 

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers said the waste was being caused by poor storage, strict sell-by dates, bulk offers and consumer fussiness.

 

The study also found that up to 30% of vegetables in the UK were not harvested because of their physical appearance.

 

The institution's Dr Tim Fox said the level of waste was "staggering". The report said that between 30% and 50% of the four billion tonnes of food produced around the world each year went to waste.

 

It suggested that half the food bought in Europe and the US was thrown away.

 

Dr Fox, head of energy and environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: "The amount of food wasted and lost around the world is staggering. This is food that could be used to feed the world's growing population - as well as those in hunger today.

 

"It is also an unnecessary waste of the land, water and energy resources that were used in the production, processing and distribution of this food.

 

"The reasons for this situation range from poor engineering and agricultural practices, inadequate transport and storage infrastructure through to supermarkets demanding cosmetically perfect foodstuffs and encouraging consumers to overbuy through buy-one-get-one-free offers."

 

And he told the BBC's Today programme: "If you're in the developing world, then the losses are in the early part of the food supply chain, so between the field and the marketplace.

 

"In the mature, developed economies the waste is really down to poor marketing practices and consumer behaviour."

 

The report - Global Food; Waste Not, Want Not - also found that huge amounts of water, totalling 550 billion cubic metres, were being used to grow crops that were never eaten.

 

The institution said the demand for water for food production could reach 10 to 13 trillion cubic metres a year by 2050.

 

The United Nations predicts there will be an extra three billion mouths to feed by 2075 as the global population swells to 9.5 billion.

 

Dr Fox added: "As water, land and energy resources come under increasing pressure from competing human demands, engineers have a crucial role to play in preventing food loss and waste by developing more efficient ways of growing, transporting and storing foods.

 

"But in order for this to happen governments, development agencies and organisation like the UN must work together to help change people's mindsets on waste and discourage wasteful practices by farmers, food producers, supermarkets and consumers."

 

Toine Timmermans, from Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands, described the IME publication as a "relevant report that draws attention to an important issue and topic".

 

But he added: "Based on years of research I find the conclusion about the amount of food waste (1.2-2 billion tonnes) unrealistic high."

 

Tristram Stuart, from food waste campaign group Feeding the 5000, said: "Amazingly, there has been no systematic study of food waste at the farm level either in the UK or elsewhere in Europe or the US.

 

"In my experience, it's normal practice for farmers to assume that 20% to 40% of their fruit and vegetable crops won't get to market, even if they are perfectly fit for human consumption."

 

Tom Tanner, from the Sustainable Restaurants Association, said: "It is the power of major retailers - convenience shopping and supermarkets on everyone's doorstep, you can nip out and buy a ready made meal in 2 minutes rather than make use of what's in your fridge."

 

He added that the weight of food equivalent to three double decker buses is thrown away per restaurant per year in the UK - 30% of that is off the consumer's plate.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20968076

Such a sad reality. The food we "Don't like" could go to countries that would love to have more food for it's families.

Well that is old news. Hasn't anybody seen the film "Taste The Waste"?

I don't doubt it. Sounds about right.

 

Well that is old news. Hasn't anybody seen the film "Taste The Waste"?

:surprised: No... is it good?

No surprise there.

:surprised: No... is it good?

Well, it is good in terms of slapping you in da face with harsh frustrating facts about our wastefully and fucked up species.

 

After I've watched it I felt disgusted towards humanity :disappointed: