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Global and European food waste challenges

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2026-09-18 00:04 UTC → 2026-09-20 09:15 UTC · added removed

Global food systems face significant challenges regarding waste and nutrition. Assessments indicate that approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food—one-third of what is produced for human consumption—is lost or wasted annually. This occurs alongside global hunger and issues of malnutrition and obesity. In Europe, specific national data highlights the scale of the issue. In France, despite legislative efforts like the 2016 Garot Law, the country produces nearly 9.7 million tonnes of food waste annually, costing approximately 16 billion euros and accounting for roughly 4.2% of national greenhouse gas emissions. In Germany, private food waste remains a critical issue, with approximately eleven million tons of edible food discarded annually. Private households are responsible the largest contributors, accounting for approximately 58 percent of this waste, or roughly 6.3 million tonnes of annual tons. Other contributors include food waste, which constitutes 58% of processing (17 percent), gastronomy (16 percent), retail (7 percent), and agriculture (2 percent). While a national strategy introduced in 2019 aimed to halve food waste by 2030 through voluntary measures, progress has been limited. However, the country’s total supply chain waste. German Food Association reports that participating retail chains and wholesalers have managed to reduce food losses by 25 percent. Simultaneously, Germany is seeing shifts in dietary habits, with meat and sausage consumption declining as younger generations opt for plant-based alternatives. Despite this shift, rising meat prices continue to place pressure on household budgets. To combat this, address these issues, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has scheduled a nationwide awareness campaign titled ‘Too good for the bin!’ for late September 2026 to address causes such as over-purchasing and improper storage. 2026.

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  1. 2026-09-20 09:15 UTC Global and European food waste challenges
  2. 2026-09-18 00:04 UTC Global and European food waste challenges

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