Food waste is a pressing issue with significant environmental, social, and economic consequences. In the EU, nearly 59 million tonnes of food waste (131 kg/inhabitant) are generated each year. The highest share of food waste is generated in households and food services. The food groups that are most wasted are vegetables, fruits and cereals. Consumers can directly change many behaviours leading to food waste (e.g. cooking too much), but their capacity to prevent food waste is also influenced by other factors (e.g. related policies, lifestyles). Reducing consumer food waste requires collaboration between all actors of the food system and addressing the issue in a broader context (for instance, as part of actions aiming to promote adoption of healthy, sustainable diets), where policymakers play a key role.
The engagement of policymakers in food waste reduction - at all levels (national, regional and local) – is essential in order to create an enabling policy environment that accelerates change as well as to coordinate related actions by key players of the food supply chain. They also play an important role in supporting and coordinating research and practical actions to reduce food waste.
This publication is a leaflet aimed at policymakers, presenting recommendations and best practices and help them make evidence-based decisions to reduce food waste in Member States. The leaflet is translated to all 23 EU languages.
GARCIA HERRERO Laura;
TUROCZY Zsuzsa;
BORZACCHIELLO Maria Teresa;
2023-10-23
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC134750
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