Lesson 4: How to reduce it?
It is currently estimated that 350 million tons of food are wasted globally during handling and storage in the supply chain each year. This means that 23% of all food wasted throughout the supply chain is lost at this stage alone. The loss represents an economic value of 120 billion dollars (BCG, 2018). Since food waste occurs for various reasons throughout the supply chain, we have decided to list the main causes at the management and supply level based on literature, publications and other available
The main causes of food waste at this stage:
- Irregular handling during loading and unloading.
- Lack of optimal storage and refrigeration facilities (capacity, infrastructure and equipment).
- Inadequate selection of storage facilities and inventory management.
- Improper handling of temperatures for sensitive products.
- Inadequate “Shelf Life” sources.
The Root Of Food Waste
One of the best solutions to avoid food waste would be a lower production or a base on real consumption data. In this way, a more efficient use of land and water would be achieved, to avoid not only a loss of food, but also to avoid a greater impact on the environment. Likewise, below we leave you some useful indications so that you can contribute your grain of sand to this cause:
- Shopping list with what you need: as an idea for a menu of dishes per week. This way you will avoid forgetting food and you will use only what is necessary for day to day, in addition to saving money.
- Preserve food well: therefore, it is advisable that meat products and other products such as bread be individually wrapped before placing them in the freezer. Always leave the oldest ones in front.
- Differentiate between the expiration date and the preferred consumption date: the expiration date refers to what must be consumed before the indicated date. However, when we find the label to consume preferably, it only refers to the fact that this product may have lost some of its properties, but it is suitable for consumption.
- Do not store too much food: You have to try to have a cupboard that does not lack any of the essential ingredients such as flour, salt, sugar, oil, pasta, legumes or preserves. However, many times the offers in supermarkets lead us to buy much more than we need, and in some cases, they can be spoiled by not consuming them on time.
How your food consumption can save the environment
