Brazil launches initiative to combat food waste and promote circular food systems

Brazil faces significant food waste challenges, with approximately 55 million tons lost throughout the productive chain and 7.5 million tons wasted at the consumer level. In Brazilian households, the average waste is 353 grams per person, with rice, beef, and beans being the most frequently discarded items.

To address these issues, Embrapa Alimentos e Territórios has launched a 24-month project titled ‘Circular food systems: involving cities in the transition’. Funded by the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger, the initiative aims to support local governments in building sustainable urban food systems.

The project focuses on generating empirical data to support national food security strategies and will investigate barriers influencing consumer purchasing decisions. Experts suggest that simple changes in consumption habits, such as utilizing peels and seeds for nutrition and repurposing leftovers into new meals, can reduce both economic costs and environmental impact.