Current status and reduction strategies for food loss and waste

Abstract

The global population is projected to exceed 10 billion by 2050. This rapid growth, especially with the increase in food loss and waste, has raised concerns about providing adequate food. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) stated that a total of 1.05 billion tons of food was wasted worldwide in 2022, equivalent to 132 kilograms per person. It is noted that 2,4 billion people, particularly in rural areas, cannot access adequate, safe, and nutritious food. Food loss and waste manifest at every juncture of the food supply chain due to various factors such as urbanization, globalization, and changing consumption habits. Reducing food loss and waste can significantly reduce food insecurity and improve environmental sustainability. Sustainable food systems strategies, technological innovations, and policy activities are among the practices that prevent food loss and waste in Turkey and worldwide. Reducing food loss and waste enhances food security, reduces environmental impacts, and achieves global sustainable development goals. This review aims to summarize the status of food waste and loss in the world and Turkey and potential prevention strategies.

Keywords

• Food loss
• Food waste
• Food waste reduction strategies

Gıda kaybı ve israfında güncel durum ve azaltma stratejileri

Öz

Küresel nüfusun 2050 yılına kadar 10 milyarı aşması öngörülmektedir. Bu hızlı büyüme, özellikle gıda kaybı ve israfının artmasıyla birlikte, yeterli gıdanın sağlanması konusundaki endişeleri artırmıştır. Birleşmiş Milletler Gıda ve Tarım Örgütü (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO), 2022 yılında dünya genelinde toplam 1,05 milyar ton gıda israf edildiğini ve bunun kişi başı 132 kilograma denk geldiğini belirtmiştir. Kırsal bölgeler başta olmak üzere 2,4 milyar insanın yeterli, güvenli ve besleyici gıdaya erişimi olmadığı belirtilmektedir. Gıda kaybı ve israfı, şehirleşme, küreselleşme ve değişen tüketim alışkanlıkları gibi çeşitli faktörler nedeniyle gıda tedarik zincirinin her aşamasında meydana gelmektedir. Gıda kaybını ve israfını azaltmak, gıda güvencesizliğini önemli ölçüde azaltabilir ve çevresel sürdürülebilirliği iyileştirebilir. Türkiye’de ve dünyada gıda kaybını ve israfını önlememeye yönelik yürütülen uygulamalar arasında sürdürülebilir gıda sistemleri stratejileri, teknolojik yenilikler ve politika faaliyetleri yer almaktadır. Gıda kaybı ve israfının azaltılması, gıda güvenliğini artırmaya, çevresel etkileri azaltmaya ve küresel sürdürülebilir kalkınma hedeflerine ulaşmaya katkı sağlamaktadır. Bu derlemenin amacı dünyada ve Türkiye'de gıda israfı ve kaybının durumunu ve olası önleme stratejilerini özetlemektir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Gıda kaybı
• Gıda israfı
• Gıda israfını azaltma stratejileri

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