Food waste is increasing in the world due to reasons such as urbanization, increase in product variety, and lack of information about purchasing and preserving food. According to the 2021 UN Food Waste Index Report, a total of 931 m t of food is wasted every year around the world. In Turkey, more than 7.7 million tons of food is go to every year. That is, 93 kilograms per person. The Turkish Waste Prevention Foundation’s 2022 Waste Report reveals the economic dimension of this loss. According to the report, the cost of food waste, 42 percent of which comes from households, reached $15 billion by the end of 2021. In order to draw attention to food waste, in 2020, the United Nations declared 29 September as International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. 

“Food waste causes social, environmental and economic problems”

Food waste causes social, environmental and economic problems. According to the United Nations data, it is a sad and worrying situation that millions of tons of food are wasted every day in our world, where 828 million people around the world face hunger. Food waste is one of the major obstacles to the fight against hunger. The most important issue is undoubtedly the human factors. However, we are talking about an economic loss of billions of lira even for Turkey alone. 

As for the environmental aspect, it is estimated that 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food that is not consumed but wasted. In addition, this increase in food demand brings with it the need to open new agricultural areas. This situation causes forests and pastures to be converted into agricultural areas, and as a result, it disrupts the ecological balance. Considering environmental pollution and the risks in food safety based on difficulties in supply, it becomes clear how important is the fight against food waste.

“We are wasting the crown jewel of our tables”

Along with fruits and vegetables, bread is also one of the biggest food wastes. Bread is one of the most important elements of our food culture, the crowning glory of our tables. However, research shows that 4.9 million loaves of bread are wasted every day in Turkey alone. This waste reaches very serious levels especially in hotels, restaurants and cafeterias. For this reason, when we eat outside the house, we should not put more bread on our tray than we can consume at that moment. We should store the bread at home without leaving it out, and store the excess bread in the deep freezer by bagging it. Stale breads can be dried in the oven and turned into breadcrumbs or used in soups. However, it is very important to do these operations before the bread gets moldy because moldy bread can cause serious health problems. A crucial issue is that if mold has formed in bread or any other food, it is not sufficient to dispose of the moldy part. Because mold affects the whole food negatively. 

To prevent food waste at home:

Every individual has important responsibilities in the fight against food waste. Let’s not forget that every food thrown away harms our planet. Other suggestions to prevent food waste at home are as follows:

1. Make a list before shopping and stick to that list to the extent possible.

2. Examine the packaging of the product carefully while shopping. Do not buy packaged foods that are curved, punctured, worn or leaking.

3. Make a habit of reading labels. Do not buy products that are close to their expiration date if they are more than you can consume.

4. Keep meat and meat products and milk and dairy products in the refrigerator at 0-4 degrees. Keep meat products that you will not consume in the freezer so that they do not come into contact with each other.

5. Store leftover food in the refrigerator. If you cannot consume it, take it into suitable containers and place it in the deep freezer.

6. Adjust the serving size of the foods you will keep in the freezer well. Since refreezing thawed foods is risky for health, these foods will be wasted if they are not consumed.

7. Store dry foods in a dark, cool, dry place with air flow.

8. Keep vegetables and fruits at the appropriate temperature by placing them in the sections of the refrigerator reserved for storing these foods. Treat the unused parts as compost.

9. Share foods that you do not consume, that have not expired and that you are sure are healthy, with your circle or food banks.

10. Explain to your children the importance of not wasting food from an early age.