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UN Report Reveals World Wastes 1.3 Billion Tons of Food a Year

by Kathy Jones on May 13 2011 9:09 PM

 UN Report Reveals World Wastes 1.3 Billion Tons of Food a Year
The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization reports that about 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted every year, which amounts to roughly one third of all the food produced for human consumption.
FAO report distinguished between food losses occurring at the production and harvest levels typical of developing countries, and food waste, which was more a problem in industrialized countries as both retailers and consumers have a tendency to throw away perfectly edible foodstuffs.

Findings highlighted that industrialized countries dissipate an average of 670 million tons of food per year while developing countries 630 million tons, Xinhua reports.

Every year, consumers in rich countries waste almost 222 million tons of food as the entire net food production of sub-Saharan Africa, which is 230 million tons.

The UN agency thus identified means by which nations must cut down on food waste to boost fight against famine, including more efficient harvest techniques and infrastructures to reduce resources squandering and clearer consumer information.

FAO also stressed that it is essential to change consumer attitudes, spread awareness on limited natural resources and strengthen the overall food chain.

Source-ANI


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