As the world’s population continues to grow, the issue of food waste has become an increasingly pressing concern. According to the United Nations, an estimated one-third of all food produced globally is either lost or wasted each year. This not only has economic and environmental consequences but also exacerbates food insecurity and hunger in many parts of the world.

France becomes first country to ban food waste by supermarkets. French supermarkets have been prohibited from throwing away or intentionally spoiling unsold food under a new bill passed unanimously in February by the country’s senate. Supermarkets larger than 400 square metres will be required to donate the excess to charities and food banks, or face a fine of €3,750 ($4,125). The legislation also takes aim at food destruction, stopping shops from bleaching or securing excess food in locked dumpsters to keep it away from food foragers.

Another French law that came into effect in January targets food waste at restaurants by requiring retailers to offer takeaway containers to customers. Some 7.1 million tonnes of food waste is generated in France every year, according to the French government. Consumers generated 67 percent of this total, followed by restaurants at 15 percent and retail at 11 percent.

Other countries have had some success in reducing supermarket food waste through voluntary efforts, including the United Kingdom. A recent study by the British charity WRAP found the retail sector responsible for only 1.7 percent of food waste across the country, compared to France’s 11 percent figure. This has been ascribed, in part, to aggressive industry-led efforts to reduce food waste throughout the supply chain.

Globally, one-third of the food produced is wasted, costing the world economy about $750 billion, the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s report said. It said Asian countries, especially India and China, were the worst culprits causing loss of 1.3 billion tonnes of food every year. This food wastage represents a missed opportunity to improve global food security, but also to mitigate environmental impacts and resources use from food chains.

According to the UN, 40m tonnes of food wasted in Arab countries According to the international organisation, Egypt came in first place, with a total of nine million tonnes of wasted food. Iraq came second, with 4.73 million tonnes of food waste, followed by Sudan (4.16 million tonnes), Algeria (3.91 million tonnes), Saudi Arabia (3.59 million tonnes), Morocco (3.31 million tonnes), Yemen (3.02 million tonnes), Syria (1.77 million tonnes), Tunisia (1.06 million tonnes). Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Oman, Mauritania, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain respectively had the least food waste.

Weddings, canteens, hotels, social and family functions, households spew out so much food.  According to the United Nations Development Programme, up to 40 percent of the food produced in India is wasted. About 23 million tonnes of wheat are wasted in India and one-third of the food produced across the world meets the same fate and never reaches the needy. In fact, according to the India’s agriculture ministry, Rs. 50,000 crore ($7.5 billion) worth of food produced is wasted every year in the country.

Fortunately, there are many steps that individuals, businesses, and governments can take to reduce food waste. One of the most effective strategies is to focus on reducing food waste at the source, such as by improving farming practices, reducing overproduction, and improving supply chain management.

Another key approach is to encourage consumers to reduce their own food waste by planning meals carefully, buying only what they need, and storing food properly. This can not only save money but also help to reduce the amount of food that goes to waste.

Businesses can also play a crucial role in reducing food waste by implementing more efficient supply chain and inventory management practices, donating excess food to those in need, and using innovative technologies to reduce waste.

Governments can also help to address the issue of food waste by implementing policies and regulations that encourage sustainable production and consumption practices, as well as by providing funding for research and development into new technologies and strategies for reducing waste.

We need to have legislations besides voluntary efforts to stop food waste in India. There are laudable efforts made by some great citizens in Bundelkhand, Coimbatore, and Aurangabad, where they are running Roti Banks. They serve food to needy every day after collecting the food items from various donors. There are similar efforts at some other places too, which need to be recognised and expanded. The people should be advised against food wastage.

Ultimately, addressing the issue of food waste will require a collaborative effort from all sectors of society. By working together to reduce waste at every stage of the food production and consumption process, we can help to ensure that everyone has access to the nutritious food they need while also protecting our planet for future generations.

It’s important to recognize that food wastage is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach involving governments, businesses, and individuals to bring about meaningful change. We need to get it into people’s minds to talk about food waste, that’s when little changes will take effect. Change doesn’t have to involve a huge elaborate campaign.