The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Tuesday that 17 per cent of all food available to consumers in 2019 ended up being thrown away.
The UN food agency therefore, launched an urgent appeal for action to reduce the amount of food that is wasted, maintained that lack of food, hunger and malnutrition affect every country in the world.
Nancy Aburto, Deputy Director of FAO’s Food and Nutrition Division Economic and Social Development Stream, speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, ahead of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, on Wednesday, 29 September, that an additional 132 million people face food and nutrition insecurity today because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said the problem of food waste is a global one and not limited to wealthy nations alone.
“Food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition are impacting every country in the world and no country is unaffected; 811 million people suffer hunger, two billion suffer micronutrient deficiencies – that’s vitamin and mineral deficiencies – and millions of children suffer stunting and wasting, deadly forms of under-nutrition.”
“The high cost of “healthy” diets, meant that they were now “out of reach” of every region in the world, including Europe.”
“Reducing food loss and waste would improve agri-food systems and help towards achieving food security, food safety and food quality, all while delivering on nutritional outcomes.”
“It would also contribute “significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as pressure on land and water resources,” FAO official said.
Aburto also said that more countries needed to embrace innovation to reduce waste, such as new packaging that can prolong the shelf-life of many foods, while smartphone apps can bring consumers closer to producers, reducing the time between harvest and plate.
She said with less than nine years left to reach Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 on ensuring sustainable consumption, and target 12.3 to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels, there is an urgent need to accelerate action, up to the 2030 deadline.
FAO chief QU Dongyu, reminded that produce provides human nutrition and food security while working to achieve the SDGs.
“In the current health crisis we are facing around the world, promoting healthy diets to strengthen our immune systems is especially appropriate”
“Food loss and waste in the fruits and vegetables sector remained a problem with considerable consequences.”
“Innovative technologies and approaches were of critical importance”, as they can help maintain safety and quality, “increasing the shelf life of fresh produce items and preserving their high nutritional value.” He said.
- Netherlands To Activate $250 Million New Investments In Nigeria - April 26, 2024
- ICPC To Arrest Former Director General NILDS - April 26, 2024
- Emir Of Minna Set Up Committee To Curb Vices - April 26, 2024
