Food Waste Index Report-2021

The United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) published the “Food Waste Index Report, 2021”. As per the UNEP report, estimated 931 million tonnes of food were wasted across the world 2019. The agency also highlighted that this amount of wasted food can circle the Earth seven times.

Key Facts

The index report was published by the UNEP in collaboration with the partner organisation WRAP. Out of the total waste generation, households accounts for the sixty-one per cent of waste, food services accounts for 26 per cent from foo waste while, the retail accounts for 13 per cent waste. The report also highlights 17 per cent of total global food production is wasted. The agency stated that, weight roughly equals to 23 million fully loaded 40-tonne trucks is enough to circle Earth seven times. capita per year which accounts for 91,646,213 tonnes in a year. As per the report, every country that has measured food waste which was substantial independent of income level. Further, the waste coming from the households comprises of the 11 percent of the total food available at consumption level. The agency further highlighted that, on the global per capita stage 121 kgs of consumer food is wasted per year out of which 74 kgs waste is generated from the households.

Food Waste in India

The household waste in India is 50 kg per capita per year which equals 68,760,163 tonnes per year. On the other hand, the household food waste in USA is 59 kg per capita per year which equals the 19,359,951 tonnes per year. The Report highlighted that, In China household waste is 64 kg per capita per year which accounts for 91,646,213 tonnes in a year.

Hunger across world

The report mentioned that, in the year 2019, “More than 690 million people were affected by hunger”. This estimate would further rise amid the Covid-19an estimate that is expected to increase further amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The report estimates that around three billion people unable to afford any healthy diet. Thus, the consumers should help in reducing the food waste at home.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2021