783 million people face chronic hunger while world wastes 19% of its food: UN

UNITED NATIONS: A report by the United Nations revealed that the world wasted an estimated 19 per cent of the food produced globally in 2022, totaling about 1.05 billion metric tons. “Over 783 million people are faced with chronic hunger, but the world still wastes 19 per cent of its food,” the UN stated after the report was published.

 The report, co-authored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Waste and Resources Action programme (WRAP), analysed data from households, food service, and retailers and found that each person wastes about 79 kilograms of food annually, equivalent to at least one billion meals wasted worldwide daily.  The majority of the food waste comes from households- around 60 per cent, while food services like restaurants contribute 28 per cent and retailers account for 12 per cent. 

Co-author Clementine O’Connor, UNEP’s focal point for food waste, described the situation as a “travesty” and emphasised the importance of collaboration and systemic action to tackle the problem.

The report comes at a time when 783 million people around the world face chronic hunger and many places facing a deepening food crisis. 

Fadila Jumare, a Nigeria-based project associate at Busara Center for Behavioral Economics who has studied the prevention of food waste in Kenya and Nigeria, said the problem further disadvantages many people who are already food insecure and cannot afford healthy diets. “For humanity, food waste means that less food is available to the poorest population,” said Jumare.

The report highlighted the importance of international cooperation and policy development, especially among wealthier nations, to lead efforts in reducing food waste. It noted the use of public-private partnerships in many countries to measure and reduce food waste in the supply chain.

Food redistribution, including donations to food banks and charities, was identified as a significant strategy for reducing food waste among retailers.

The report concluded that while there are notable efforts to address food waste in low- and middle-income countries, global collaboration is essential to tackle the issue effectively. Richard Swannel, Director of Impact Growth at WRAP and a co-author of the report, emphasised that food waste is a global problem that requires immediate action for economic, environmental, and social benefits.