Did You Know? Every Indian Wastes About 50 Kgs Of Food A Year?

                   Have you ever witnessed this stark contrast? On one side, a lavish party is wasting mountains of food. On the other side, hungry kids trying to sleep. It's a harsh reality - a land of plenty alongside a land of need. The underlying issue: 'Food Waste.'

What if I told you, you are wasting about 50 kgs of food annually? Would you believe it? That’s enough to feed at least 150 people.

Numbers don’t lie- The stark reality of food wastage in India

India grapples with a staggering food wastage problem. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 40% of the country's food production goes to waste yearly. To put this into perspective, it amounts to 68.7 million tons of food, valued at an astounding INR 92,651 crore. And here's a statistic that hits close to home: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution reports that, on average, an individual discards around 137 grams of food daily. This amounts to 0.96 kgs per week or a jaw-dropping 50 kgs of food per person annually.

Here’s one more unsettling truth from UNEP’s Food Waste Index Report for 2021 - Households discard food without a second thought, accounting for 61% of the food waste. The food-service industry contributes 26% and 13% from retail establishments. And here’s one final statistic that I came across. In the Global Hunger Index 2022, India ranks 107th out of 121 countries with a significant level of hunger and undernutrition.

Aren’t these statistics and data enough to make your jaws drop?

It's not just about numbers; it's about lives affected. Food wastage not only leaves many people hungry, but it also affects the economy and the environment at the macro level.

But who is to blame for the wastage of food epidemic??? The answer is simple - “All of us”.

It’s easy to point fingers at others, but we must realize that we all play a role in food wastage. It all starts at the beginning of the supply chain and ends at our dining table. 

Guilty as Charged: Unveiling the Food Waste Culprits in India

1. Planning Problems: When We Don't Think Ahead

Food goes to waste when there's a lack of thoughtful meal planning. In our fast-paced lives, we often buy without a clear plan, where the items expire and end up as waste. Excess food stored in the fridge usually meets the same fate.

2. Mistakes in Food Production: Safety Matters

Stringent food safety rules exist for a reason - they prevent errors in food processing. Discarding items that don't meet these standards contributes to wastage. Overcooking, incorrect packaging, and production trials also add to the food rejection rate. Adherence to these regulations is crucial for minimizing waste.

3. Managing Food Challenges: Behind the Scenes Issues

Insufficient funds, poor management, and difficulties in harvesting, storing, and cooling pose challenges to food management in India. Adverse weather conditions, limited packaging facilities, and infrastructure issues worsen these problems.

4. Too Much Food in Restaurants: Why It's a Problem?

Have you ever thrown a long face at a waiter when you eagerly placed an order for an item, and the waiter came back telling you they did not have stock of it? Restaurants realize customer satisfaction is imperative, and every disappointed customer means lost current and future business. What is the solution? Overstocking of food. This is precisely what contributes to a lot of food wastage.

5. Too Much Stock in Stores: The Issue with Full Shelves

Wholesale and supermarkets grapple with the over-merchandising of food products. Visually appealing displays aim to attract customers. This practice tempts consumers to buy more than they need, resulting in a surplus of wasted food. 

On the Brink: The Environmental Impact of Wasted Food

• Loss of biodiversity occurs due to farming practices like invading wild areas, habitat destruction, and deforestation. It affects our environment.
• Wastage of about 1/3rd of the planet’s agricultural land is equal to losing 1.4 billion hectares, which can impact our global resources. 
• Food waste translates to water waste, known as a blue water footprint. Food wastage equals squandering 250 cubic kilometers of water, affecting our water resources.
• Food wastage increases carbon footprints, which equals 3.3 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions. A report says food wastage is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gasses. It can impact our climate.
• As per FAO, food waste leads to economic loss of about 750 billion dollars per year, affecting our economy. 

Your Plate, Your Planet: Fighting Food Waste Starts Here

Now that you know the causes and consequences of food wastage, shouldn’t you be doing something better? Shouldn’t you be saving money and helping the environment? 

You might be wondering - Food wastage is a vast issue to address. What can I even do as an individual? There is so much you can do starting from your kitchen. One small step in the right direction can create a significant impact. 

You cannot cut food wastage, but you can reduce it to a certain extent. Here are a few practical steps to reduce food wastage.

Buy mindfully: Plan your weekly menu and avoid bulk purchasing. Check the product expiry date to ensure you can consume it within the mentioned time. 

Consume smartly: Do not leave your plate unfinished. If you are not sure of the taste of food, take a small bite instead before deciding to discard them. When dining out, it is a good practice to take home the leftovers. Make the most of every ingredient and aim to create a zero-waste kitchen.

Store and preserve: Extend the life of your food by storing it correctly. Use airtight containers and label them for freshness. Freezing extra food is a smart way to prevent waste. Keep track of what is in your freezer, and use older items first.

Share the Surplus: Instead of discarding the food, why not share it? Whenever there is surplus food, offer it to your friends, colleagues, and neighbors. In large gatherings, parties, or weddings, you can donate untouched food to food banks or charity organizations or share it for free with local laborers.

Embrace Composting: What if you cannot consume the food? You can dive into the incredible world of composting, where food waste becomes the environment's best friend. It improves soil quality and provides nutrients for your plants. While you may miss feeding people, you're nourishing your plants and helping create a greener world.

Bottom Line: As we have seen, the numbers are staggering, but the power to change is in our hands. Imagine if every meal you savor not only nourishes you but also helps a hungry person. What if every person reading this decides to reduce their food wastage even by a fraction? Together, that’s a tidal wave of change. 

Now let me ask you -What if your next meal could save a hungry person? What if your actions today could help bridge the gap between plenty and need? Will you be part of this change? Will you take those small but significant steps starting from your kitchen? The journey begins with a single step, and together, we can turn the bitter truth of food waste into a sweet reality of plenty for all.

It starts with you. What will you do next?