Research from the Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that 40% of all food produced in the US goes to waste. Read the original FoodBev.com article here.
A typical household of four throws away $2,275 of food each year, and the overall total wastage is valued at an almost unimaginable $165bn. The volume has increased by 50% since the 1970s.
It’s easy to understand why. Reasons include relatively low prices and increased portion sizes. Recommended solutions include less wasteful shopping habits and clearer date labelling.
Regrettably, 40% wastage is not uncommon elsewhere, including in developing countries where the greater problem is collection and processing rather than distribution and consumption.
Richard Hall is chairman of Zenith International.
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