Definition

The wastage of food made for human consumption. This may encompass any loss/wastage throughout the food system, or food waste may be used to specifically refer to waste in the retail, hospitality and home settings (with food loss referring to loss in agriculture and in the supply chain).

Further reading
The Global Benefits of Reducing Food Loss and Waste, and How to Do It - World Resources Institute (WRI) (Goodwin, 2023) [website]
Fight climate change by preventing food waste - World Wildlife Fund (WWF) [website]
Related

best before dates; composting; dumpster diving; food banks; food loss; food preservation; food rescue; foodsharing; food storage; food supply chain; food system; food wastage; food waste management; global food crisis; post-harvest losses; sell by dates; waste management

See also
Agriculture
Food security
Waste crisis
Explore by theme
Challenges
Food & Farming
Drafted by
Chris Graham
Reviewed by
TBC