Determinants of food loss and waste behaviour among farming households in southwestern Nigeria

Research on food loss and waste (FLW) is quite limited in emerging countries, such as Romania, as the phenomenon, its consequences, and implications are not yet properly understood by both policy makers and consumers. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to conduct representative research in Romania to identify the main clusters of consumers depending on their food waste behaviour. By means of cluster analysis, we highlight the main consumer typologies in Romania, regarding their food waste behaviour. The main findings reveal the presence of three distinct segments of consumer typologies based on their food waste behaviour, including low-income young wasters, conscious middle-age wasters, and well-educated mature non-wasters. This study highlights the need for targeted interventions that consider the unique characteristics and behaviours of each segment to effectively reduce FLW at the household level. Overall, this paper provides important insights for academia and for policymakers in the field of FLW management. The food loss and waste behaviour has significant economic, social, and environmental impacts, and reducing it requires a common effort from all stakeholders. Reducing food waste presents challenges, but also presents an opportunity to improve economic, social, and environmental outcomes.

According to FAO (2016), Indonesia is the world's second largest producer of "food waste," trailing only Saudi Arabia. Indonesia's population disposes of food waste at a rate of about 300 kg/capita/year, while Saudi Arabia disposes of food waste at a rate of about 427 kg/capita/year. furthermore, as a G20 member, Indonesia requires a significant policy direction in the prevention and reduction of "food loss and waste" in order to contribute to a sustainable food system. SDG 12.3 targets a 50 percent reduction in food waste per capita at the retail/consumer level by 2030, as well as a reduction in food loss from the production stage to distribution. Therefore, to what extent Indonesia's FLW policy? Bappenas has developed an affirmative FLW policy that guides the national FLW system, among other things, through five major directions: behavior changes; improved support for the food system; strengthened regulation and budget optimization; utilization of food loss and waste (FLW); and development of FLW studies and data collections. According to a Bappenas report, without any intervention or strategy, FLW in Indonesia could reach 344 kg/capita/year by 2045. Meanwhile, according to the strategic scenario, FLW can be reduced and will only reach 166 kg/capita/year in 2045. This study reviews the development and implementation of the Food Loss and Waste (FLW) policy in Indonesia and other G20 member countries in accordance with the mandate of the G20 Presidency in 2022.
 

Food losses refer to edible food mass decrease throughout the human food chain. Food losses occurring at consumption stage are called food waste. Food Losses and Waste (FLW) represent one of the most critical social, economic and ecological challenges facing humanity, besides being also an ethical issue. FAO data show that roughly one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. There are no precise and accurate data regarding food waste in Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. The review paper aims at providing insights about the extent of FLW in NENA region with a special focus on Arab countries and Iran. The paper explores linkages between food waste and food security. Moreover, it analyses the economic and environmental implications of FLW. FLW vary depending on food type, country and season. Generally speaking, postharvest losses are significant in this region for most of commodity groups. It is estimated that FLW amount to 34% of food supply in NENA region. FLW undermine the very foundations of food security and amount to major depletion of resources (e.g. water, land, energy) and produce needlessly greenhouse gases. They also represent a wasted investment that reduces farmers’ incomes and increase consumers’ expenses. Therefore, food waste reduction is crucial for improving the sustainability of the food supply chain and achieving food and nutrition security in the region.

From 2022, the European Union Waste Framework Directive (WFD) requires member states to report annual food waste from each food supply chain stage. Comprehensive food losses and waste (FLW) data can be challenging to obtain for the primary production stage, i.e., farming and fishing. However, this information is vital in developing FLW mitigation actions appropriate to each country.This study describes the nature and extent of FLW from primary production in Ireland, using methods approved for WFD reporting. Causes of FLW and FLW as a proportion of total production were determined through interviews with Irish primary production stakeholders and using national FLW data where available. The FLW was presented for each primary production sector - animal husbandry, horticulture, tillage, aquaculture, and fisheries.The total annual FLW from Irish primary production was 189,508 tonnes. The main FLW sources were vegetable production (122,398 tonnes), meat production (41,726 tonnes), and tillage (12,502 tonnes). The activities associated with high FLW did not reflect the quantity of food from those activities, e.g., dairy generated the greatest quantity of animal husbandry produce (89%) but only 7% of animal husbandry FLW. The main causes of FLW in Irish primary production were pests, disease, injuries, and production stress (37%), followed by un-harvestable or un-saleable produce, 24% and 21%, respectively.The majority of FLW described in this study (63%) is considered food loss, meaning mitigation efforts should focus on this rather than food waste. These results also clearly indicate priority areas for mitigation action, e.g., horticulture. This research suggests mitigation actions that improve long-term farm sustainability, e.g., improve soil health, reduce FLW and contribute to food production potential in fisheries and aquaculture.

Malnutrition has been one of the significant challenges the world is facing, with food insecurity as the main driver. However, as strategies focus on increasing production for a more secure food system, food loss and waste (FLW) exist as food is transferred to each supply chain player and even during consumption. The study aimed to provide information on the current state of food loss and waste in the Philippines. FLW during consumption is more detrimental as each step input adds value to the food item. In the Philippines, where every single grain is vital, the Food Waste Reduction Act was introduced. This law aimed to reduce food waste through donations and recycle food as fertilizer or compost. Aside from the staple rice, other agricultural commodities with more than 20% waste at postharvest are bananas, cabbage, calamansi, eggplant, mangoes, sweet potato, and tomato. The food industry also plays a vital role in reducing waste, and some identified recommendations are creating a weekly menu to avoid buying too much, storing food properly and strict practice of first-in-first-out to minimize spoilage, promoting food preservation processing to utilize and extend shelf life of in-season fruits and vegetable and reducing the serving sizes. Other contributors to food waste are the surge of zoonotic diseases such as the African Swine Fever (ASF) and natural disasters. Considering all the players and contributors, FLW is indeed multi-faceted, and to reduce it warrants collaborative efforts of various agencies to continuously launch awareness campaigns, implement the use less of or do without concept to avoid leftovers and improve methods of storing foods and develop FLW measurement protocols whereby targets are set and FLW are regularly monitored. It is high time that FLW is in the spotlight to curb the lack of consistent access to food among the poor.

Food losses and waste (FLW) is considered a critical issue in the ongoing debate on the sustainability of agri-food systems. However, the scholarly literature on FLW is still geographically-biased, with more attention devoted to developed countries, even in Europe. In this context, this article analyses the state of research on FLW in the Western Balkan region (viz. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). A search performed in October 2021 on the Web of Science database returned 34 documents, and 21 eligible ones were included in the systematic review. The topical analysis of the literature addressed causes of FLW, stages of the food supply chain, extent and magnitude of FLW, FLW and food security, economic and environmental impacts of FLW, and food waste (FW) management strategies. A central finding was the scarcity of data on FW in the Western Balkans. Moreover, the literature focused on FW at the consumer level, while food loss at other stages of the food chain was generally overlooked. There is a lack of comprehensive analyses of the economic and environmental impacts of FLW as well as its implications in terms of food and nutrition security. The quantification of FLW is generally inaccurate and based on estimates and self-reported data. The literature focuses on FW reuse and recycling (e.g., energy, compost) while other management strategies (e.g., reduction/prevention, redistribution) are rarely addressed. However, the results indicated that consumers in the Western Balkans pay attention to the FW issue, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is an encouraging sign that can be exploited in awareness-raising campaigns and education activities. Meanwhile, research on FLW in the Western Balkans is highly needed to fill the identified knowledge gap and provide evidence to policies dealing with the transition to sustainable food systems in the region.

The reduction of food loss and waste (FLW) has become a global priority under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Reports from the United Nations and FAO reveal alarming statistics, with 13.3 percent of the world’s food lost post-harvest and 17 percent wasted at the consumer level. FLW is a problem found in both industrialized nations like the EU and emerging countries like Indonesia. While EU nations have committed to reducing per capita food waste by 2030, Indonesia has only begun addressing FLW. This paper explores the awareness and management of FLW in Indonesia, focusing on food recovery and redistribution strategies and their potential impact on rural sustainability development. It addresses FLW management through literature review with the aim of raising awareness to the urgency of FLW management and to support the circular economy in Indonesia. FLW is closely associated with consumer behaviour, and lessons from the EU suggests that supporting local farmers and improving the supply chain can help reduce FLW. The role of food recovery and redistribution in reducing FLW in Indonesia highlights the successful practices, emphasizing the transformation of „ugly food“ and the redistribution of excess edibles to combat FLW. Non-profit organizations in Indonesia have emerged to combat FLW by redistributing edible leftovers to those in need. Additionally, FLW recovery practices extend to agriculture, involving the reprocessing of unharvested agricultural products onto animal feed or organic fertilizers. These initiatives not only reduce waste, but also contribute to food security and poverty alleviation, especially in rural areas. The study concludes that addressing FLW in Indonesia can lead to increased food availability and sustainability. It recommends the development of national policies, programs, and partnerships to promote FLW management and the well-being of Indonesian communities. Further research is needed to identify specific challenges and opportunities for implementing food recovery and redistribution initiatives effectively. By taking concrete steps to reduce FLW, Indonesia can enhance food security and simultaneously align itself with the global sustainability agenda. Keywords: Food loss and waste (FLW), food recovery, redistribution, sustainable rural development JEL: O31, Q53, R11

Food security has raised crisis alarms all over the world. Especially nowadays, conventional agriculture is threatened by climate change and extreme weather, and the agri-food system is loading the increasing population burden. Food loss and waste (FLW) have gotten more and more attention. Still, the main research focus is on a narrowed and specific stage of the food value chain of specific food types in a particular area, which lacks an overall comprehensive understanding of this topic from a broad view. This review aims to provide a comprehensive description of food loss and waste and provide a useful theoretical background to public decision-makers and individuals to reduce food loss and waste for a better and more sustainable society, economy, and environment. Secondary research and content analysis are used in this review as methodology, following Michael E. Porter’s value chain theory, to analyze and simplify the sustainable path (in light of the cause and magnitude of food security based on the nexus between food security and food loss and waste across the entire food value chain (from the main manifestation of FLW: agricultural production stages, such as cultivation or breeding and storage, post-harvest processing and distribution, and retail and consumption. We also provided the Ishikawa model diagram to better explain the causes of food loss and waste. And other manifestations, such as the COVID-19 and Russia and Ukraine war). To conclude, reducing food loss and waste is crucial for sustainable food security, but the manifestation of FLW differ in different stage of the value chain and different food types. Generally speaking, production sees the most loss, while consumption sees the most waste. Therefore, we suggest both public and private should be aware that producing more food and utilizing food resources properly along different stages of the value chain is equally important.

Food Loss and Waste (FLW) has emerged as a significant global concern, undermining sustainability initiatives and exacerbating climate change. A comprehensive understanding of FLW is essential for developing reduction strategies and assessing its environmental impacts. However, with limited research on FLW in the food service sector, challenges persist, particularly in the consistency of FLW data across the food supply chain. The inclusion of liquid and solid Food Waste (FW) is crucial for effective FLW management, yet a great deal of research on liquid FW remains scarce. Additionally, an examination of FW and packaging use reveals conflicts between environmental objectives and hospitality industry practices. This case study investigates FW production at a noodle restaurant in northern British Columbia, with a particular focus on how consumer behaviour, especially the use of doggy bags, affects FW. The primary objective is to classify and quantify solid and liquid types of FW. The second objective involves developing a statistical model to analyze factors contributing to FW, with a focus on the impact of a doggy bag fee. Finally, the study evaluates the environmental consequences of FW, providing insights to balance FW management with environmental impact mitigation in food service settings. The study examined solid and liquid FW in an Asian noodle restaurant, focusing on post-consumer FW and drivers, including the influence of additional costs for taking leftovers home. FW data were collected over six months (September 2022 - March 2023), and direct weight and composition analysis were used to classify FW into solid and liquid forms. A Regression Discontinuity in Time (RDiT) model assessed the effect of additional charges on FW, considering explanatory variables such as daily sales, meal size, and weather. Carbon dioxide equivalent CO2 emissions were estimated based on FW data and the model’s findings. The daily average FW was 2.21 kg, with solid FW averaging 0.65 kg and liquid FW 1.56 kg, revealing a significant correlation between them. RDiT analysis showed that the 10-cent surcharge of doggy bags significantly impacted liquid FW immediately, with limited and short-term effects on solid FW. A slight sustained effect on solid FW was observed, but it remained minimal overall. Daily sales were significantly associated with both types of FW, while smaller meal portions did not exhibit the expected inverse relationship. The doggy-bag surcharge was insuffcient to offset environmental costs in CO2e scenarios, suggesting that elevated fees for take-out containers are necessary. Despite its limitations, this study provides novel insights into FW categorization and suggests that single-use plastic regulations and sales influence FW, although not for smaller meals. The findings emphasize the need for increased fees to address environmental costs of restaurant FW effectively. Future research should explore more comprehensive strategies to reduce FW and its environmental impacts.

Food Loss and Food Waste, Causes and Solutions, by MichaelBlakeney. Published by Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK, 2019, 225 pp, ISBN: 978‐1‐78897‐538‐4.

One of the challenges of food security programs is reducing food loss and food waste in the supply chain. Food loss and waste (FLW) are not only about quantity loss but also quality loss throughout the milk supply chain. Therefore, a mitigation program is necessary to prevent FLW. This article discusses a systematic literature review on food loss and waste mitigation in the milk supply chain. The review is based on the ROSES (Reporting Standard for Systematics Evidence Synthesis) standard. The study selects articles from two primary databases, Web of Science and Scopus, and three additional databases: Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Dimensions. The review was divided into three themes based on the causes of food loss and waste: animal health, actor performance, and managerial approach. This paper suggests several significant contributions to the body of knowledge and practice. The findings highlight that collaboration among supply chain stakeholders is essential to mitigate FLW. This review gives new insight into FLW phenomena in the milk supply chain and it offers an alternative for the supply chain actors to identify the mitigation strategies.

Japan was one of the first countries to address food loss and waste (FLW) issues by launching a policy initiative focused on FLW management in 2000. Following the introduction of this initiative, the amount of FLW initially decreased, but this has levelled off in recent years. It is estimated that the annual amount of FLW generation in Japan is 25.31 million tonnes, of which the amount of ‘food loss’ (edible but wasted) was six million tonnes in fiscal year 2018. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, Japan has set a national target of halving ‘food loss’ from the total in 2000 by the year 2030. This chapter introduces an overview of policies related to FLW (Food Waste Recycling Act in 2000 and Act on Promotion Food Loss and Waste Reduction in 2019), trends on FLW generation, and good practices being undertaken to reduce FLW in Japan by governments at both the national and local levels as well as by the private sector.

Analysis of the regulations concerning circular economy and its relationship to the reduction of food loss and waste on an international level: A review.

Food loss and waste (FLW) is an environmental, social, and economic problem. Countries all around the world are looking for efficient strategies to prevent and reduce FLW, as recommended by target 12.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. The European Union (EU) is strongly committed to helping solve the FLW issue, setting up the Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste, and adopting the Farm to Fork Strategy. Italy has also adopted a consolidated approach toward this issue, in particular through the redistribution of food surplus to those in need, a policy that was instituted with the Gadda Law 166/2016. Importantly, this normative framework also provided for the establishment of the National Observatory on Food Surplus, Recovery, and Waste [Osservatorio sulle Eccedenze, i Recuperi e gli Sprechi Alimentari (OERSA)]. This article describes the creation and development of the OERSA, as the technical entity supporting national FLW policies. One of the first actions taken by the OERSA was that of mapping the FLW initiatives that were being implemented along the entire food supply chain in Italy. This gave the OERSA a solid foundation on which to begin working on two different fronts: (1) Collecting data regarding the primary production sector and at the consumer level and (2) Establishing educational programs and awareness campaigns. The data collected by the OERSA highlight that, although several actors of the Italian supply chain are already conscious of the causes of FLW, new strategies that focus on innovation and cooperation should be encouraged.

By 2017, Brazil seems to have finally awakened to the problem of food loss and waste. In this article, we resume the topic started in the article “Postharvest losses of perishables in Brazil: what do we know so far?” published earlier this year, but now with an emphasis on food losses and waste (FLW). We divided this article into four sections: (a) search for scientific publications on postharvest losses (PHL) and food waste (FW) in Portuguese; (b) social classes and food consumption in Brazil and household food waste; (c) the national legal framework on FLW; and (d) current food security policies and civil society actions on FLW. Google Scholar searches yielded 46,100 records for FW and 16,100 for PHL, but only 37 and 19 records, respectively, when the searches were restricted to the title of the papers. There is a clear division of subjects: PHL is more related to Agriculture and Economy and FW to Health, Nutrition and the Environment, and reasons and consequences are discussed. Food consumption and waste in Brazil must take into account the great social heterogeneity and high income inequality, as well as some unexpected driving cultural reasons. About 30 bills related to food waste have been discussed in the Brazilian Congress since 1997, with a low expectation of approval in the short term. In the absence of a regulatory framework to reduce losses and facilitate the donation of food, society has found its own way of dealing with the problem. Some initiatives are presented here, along with some governmental food security policies which had positive impacts in reducing FLW, such as National School Feeding Program (PNAE), food banks and popular restaurants. Some international movements are also beginning to gain strength in Brazil, e.g., the purchase of fruits and vegetables outside of aesthetic standards, “SaveFood Brasil”, “Slow Food”, among others. These are all put in perspective.