A staggering 58.4 million tons of food, inclusive of both edible and inedible parts, were wasted, averaging approximately 131 kilograms per inhabitant.
The data underscores the concerning fact that a significant portion of this wastage occurs at the household level, making up 54% of the total food waste. This translates to an alarming 70 kilograms of food discarded per person.
Breaking down the remaining 46% of food waste, the report indicates that various stages of the food supply chain are contributing to this issue. Manufacturing of food products and beverages was responsible for 21% of the total food waste, equivalent to 28 kilograms per person. Restaurants and food services accounted for 9%, or 12 kilograms per person, while primary production and the retail sector contributed 11 kilograms and 9 kilograms per person, respectively.
These findings shed light on the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address food waste at multiple levels of the supply chain. With household waste playing a dominant role, there is a growing call for public awareness campaigns and policy initiatives to tackle this issue and promote more sustainable consumption practices.
The report serves as a stark reminder of the environmental and economic consequences of food waste, urging stakeholders across the EU to prioritize measures aimed at reducing this alarming trend. (ILKHA)