Why in the News?

The UNEP’s Food Waste Index Report 2024 shows that 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022, about 20% of the world’s food. India is a major contributor, making this a serious environmental and ethical issue.

Why does the food waste in India pose a significant environmental and social challenge? 

• Worsens Hunger and Food Insecurity: Despite being a major food producer, over 20 crore Indians go to bed hungry while 78 million tonnes of food are wasted annually. Example: Tons of edible surplus food from weddings and restaurants are discarded instead of being redistributed to the needy.
• Increases Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Food waste in landfills decomposes and releases methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO₂. Example: India’s food waste contributes 10%-12% of total municipal waste, significantly impacting climate change.
• Wastage of Natural Resources: Food production requires land, water, and energy. Wasting food means wasting these scarce resources. Example: It takes 1,800 liters of water to produce just 1 kg of rice—if wasted, all that water is also wasted.
• Economic Loss and Financial Burden: Wasting food leads to huge financial losses for households, businesses, and the economy. Example: Retailers discard unsold perishable foods like dairy and fruits due to short shelf life, leading to billions of rupees in losses annually.
• Aggravates Climate Change and Natural Disasters: Increased food demand due to waste leads to deforestation, soil degradation, and excessive water usage, worsening environmental crises. Example: Rising extreme weather events (droughts, floods) impact crop production, making food security more vulnerable.

Where in the food supply chain do inefficiencies lead to high levels of food wastage in India? 

• Post-Harvest Losses (Farm Level): Poor harvesting techniques and lack of proper drying/storage cause significant losses. Example: Grains left in open fields get damaged by rain, pests, or rodents due to inadequate storage facilities.
• Storage and Transportation Issues: Inadequate cold storage and poor transportation infrastructure lead to spoilage, especially for perishable goods. Example: Fruits and vegetables rot in transit due to a lack of refrigerated trucks, particularly in rural areas.
• Retail and Market-Level Losses: Supermarkets and local markets discard unsold food due to short shelf life, improper handling, and strict quality standards. Example: Bruised or oddly shaped vegetables and fruits are rejected and thrown away by vendors, even if they are edible.
• Household-Level Waste: Over-purchasing, improper meal planning, and poor storage lead to significant food waste in homes. Example: Families discard leftovers or expired groceries because they were not consumed in time.
• Food Service Industry (Hotels, Restaurants, and Caterers): Large-scale food preparation for events, hotels, and restaurants results in excess food being thrown away. Example: Buffet-style dining in weddings and hotels often leads to tons of uneaten food being discarded instead of redistributed.

What are the steps taken by the Indian Government? 

• “Save Food, Share Food” Initiative: A program launched to redistribute surplus food from individuals, businesses, and organizations to the needy. Example: Collaboration with NGOs and food banks ensures excess food from weddings, hotels, and events is shared rather than wasted.
• Strengthening Cold Storage and Supply Chain Infrastructure: Investment in cold storage facilities and refrigerated transport to reduce post-harvest losses. Example: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana supports food processing industries to improve storage and preservation.
• Amendments in Food Safety and Standards Regulations: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) encourages supermarkets and restaurants to donate surplus food instead of discarding it.Example: The Food Sharing Guidelines (2019) enable food redistribution through certified food banks and NGOs.
• Awareness Campaigns and Behavioral Change Initiatives: Government-led campaigns promote responsible food consumption, meal planning, and waste reduction. Example: The Indian Food Sharing Alliance (IFSA), launched by FSSAI, connects food businesses and NGOs to reduce waste.
• Support for Food Processing and Preservation: Encouraging food processing industries to convert surplus produce into value-added products like dried, frozen, or packaged foods. Example: The government provides subsidies and incentives for food processing units under schemes like the Mega Food Parks Scheme to reduce waste.

Way forward: 

• Strengthening Food Redistribution Networks: Expand and streamline food donation mechanisms through digital platforms connecting surplus food sources (hotels, supermarkets, households) with NGOs and food banks. Example: A nationwide food-sharing app can help track surplus food and ensure efficient redistribution to the needy.
• Improving Supply Chain Efficiency with Technology: Leverage AI, IoT, and blockchain for real-time monitoring of food storage, transport conditions, and expiry tracking to reduce wastage. Example: Smart sensors in cold storage and logistics can alert businesses to temperature fluctuations, preventing spoilage of perishable items.

Mains PYQ:

Question: Discuss the consequences of climate change on the food security in tropical countries. (UPSC 2017)

Reason: This question connects climate change to food security, a situation that could be exacerbated by food wastage.

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