What is Food Waste?
Food waste refers to edible food that is discarded, lost, or uneaten at any stage of the food supply chain, from production and processing to retail and consumption. It represents a loss of resources, including water, energy, and labor, and contributes to environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions when disposed of in landfills.
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Food waste occurs for many reasons, including overproduction, improper storage, aesthetic standards, and consumer behavior. Related terms include food loss, which typically refers to losses in the production and distribution stages, and food recovery, which focuses on redirecting edible food to people or composting. Reducing food waste is a key sustainability strategy that conserves resources, lowers emissions, and addresses food insecurity, making it an important focus for both households and organizations.