International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2021: Significance, theme and more

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is observed to draw human interest in agri-food-nature dependence. According to UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), reducing food loss is of significant importance as it contributes to realisation of broader improvements towards achieving food security, safety, and quality to deliver nutritional outcomes. September 29 was designated as International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste by United Nations in order to promote global efforts and collective action against responsible consumption and production of food.

This day is specially marked to spread awareness about sustainable consumption and production of Agriculture-based food products. It is deemed essential in circumstances where thousands of people across impoverished nations are standing on brink of universal food crisis. situation has mostly seen a downward graph since 2014. On International Day of awareness of food loss and waste 2021, it is a clear call to action for public and local authorities to ensure reduction in food loss, said UN FAO.

(Overall, about 17% of produced food is wasted in one or ar way. Im: Unsplash)

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2021: me

According to UN, globally around 14% of food produced is lost in harvest and retail. Ar significant quantity is wasted in retail to consumption level. Overall, about 17% of produced food is wasted in one or or way. As per UN estimates, around 11% is wasted in households, 5% in transportation and 2% in retail.

Looking at aforementioned figure, UN FAO has decided to reinstate "Stop food loss and waste. For people. For planet." me was anunced in 2020, year when UN ncy first marked day. me for International Day of Food Loss and Waste 2021 also aims to raise awareness about why it is important to reduce food loss and waste.

Why is it important to reduce food waste?

Food waste t only undermines sustainability of world system but also indirectly adds to climate crisis. When food is wasted all resources-- water, land, energy-- invested in producing it is also wasted. Additionally, when food is disposed of in landfills, this leads to greenhouse gas emissions, in turn, climate change. According to UN, nearly 38% of energy is used in global food system. Lastly, wast of food also contributes to an increase in food prices across world.

(Im: Shutterstock)