The Impact of Food Waste on Global Nutrition
Food waste refers to any food that is discarded or lost before it can be consumed, whether it is at the production, processing, retail, or consumer level. This includes food that is left uneaten at restaurants or homes, food that is thrown away by supermarkets, and crops that are left to rot in fields. The impact of food waste on global nutrition is significant. According to the United Nations, around 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted each year, which is equivalent to about one-third of all food produced for human consumption. Meanwhile, around 795 million people around the world suffer from chronic hunger, and another 2 billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Food waste exacerbates these problems by reducing the amount of food available for consumption and increasing the price of food. This, in turn, can lead to food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly in low-income countries. Additionally, food waste has a negative impact on the environment, contributing to gree