Households across all continents wasted more than 1 billion meals a day in 2022, while 783 million people were affected by hunger and one-third of humanity faced food insecurity.

Food waste continues to hurt the global economy and fuel climate change, nature loss and pollution. These are the key findings of a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report published on Wednesday, ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste.

The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024, co-authored with WRAP, provides the most accurate global estimate on food waste at retail and consumer levels. It provides guidance for countries on improving data collection and suggests best practices in moving from measuring to reducing food waste.

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In 2022 there were 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste generated (including inedible parts), amounting to 132 kg per capita and nearly one-fifth of all food available to consumers.

Of the total food wasted in 2022, 60 per cent happened at the household level, with food services responsible for 28 per cent and retail 12 per cent.

“Food waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world,”........

© The Statesman