Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste

Food Loss Related News
Expo Dubai 2020
21/09/2021

The World Food Day 2021 was the first International Day to be celebrated on 16 October at Expo Dubai, which runs from 1 October to 31 March 2022. The UN Secretary General disseminated a message thorugh social media "the way we produce, consume and waste our food is a heavy toll in our pla...

Driving food loss and waste reduction through innovation
02/02/2021
A side event focused on Driving Food Loss and Waste through Innovation was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the One Planet Sustainable Food System Programme, on the margins of the 47th Session of the Committee on Food Security (CFS).
2021 is the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (IYFV)
01/02/2021

The UN General Assembly designated 2021 the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (IYFV). This is being launched officially on 15th December. Stay tuned! we will communicate soon details for participation.

The IYFV 2021 is a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the important role of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition, food security and health and as well in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.

International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021
16/12/2020
Speaking at the event the FAO Director-General described the initiative as "a unique opportunity to raise global awareness". He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had challenged people to find new ways of fighting hunger and malnutrition and said IYFV would highlight the role of digital technologies in improving nutrition and market opportunities.
Post-harvest Loss Briefing: Technologies and Management
01/12/2020

The Agritechnica Asia and Horti Asia digital talk about Post-Harvest Losses, which took place in late November, addressed the avoidance of losses by improved process management and handling of crops as well as opportunities to fund collaborative projects to introduce new technologies.

Agro-processors training organized by CARDI in Grenada
19/11/2020
Agro-processors and agro-processing groups interested in utilising a renewable energy resource for the preservation of food have commenced one week of training.
Japan collects and shares good practices to accelerate actions for FLWR
10/09/2020
A variety of new businesses are encouraging the reduction of food loss and waste in Japan and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) collects and shares the good practices to accelerate the actions to reduce food loss and waste.
20/04/2020
Pulses are important in agricultural production systems, in managing soil fertility, reducing the adverse effects of climate change and enhancing resilience especially for the most vulnerable groups, especially women and children; in food and feed especially during lean periods in food- and nutrition-insecure countries. Furthermore, pulses are an important source of income for the most vulnerable households in developing countries around the world and account for a relatively large share of world trade through processing and marketing. Measures taken by countries to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic could likely increase exacerbate losses in pulses due to inappropriate harvest and post-harvest practices, ultimately contributing to reducing their availability and accessibility.
06/04/2020

With physical distancing and reduced shopping trips to supermarkets, buying large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables becomes difficult, with the risk of them going to waste, during this COVID-19 pandemic. There are, however, simple ways in which fruits and vegetables can be preserved at home to reduce waste. Many vegetables, can be blanched by dipping in boiling water for approximately 5 minutes and then pickled and fermented. Fruits can be preserved by blanching and freezing, juicing, drying, frying, or preserved with sugar into jams and fruit preserves.
Root crops and bananas can be fried to produce chips.


30/03/2020
SDC-funded PHM projects are in their final phase, while one concluded a few years ago. All of these projects have had similar objectives and a shared thematic focus, using much the same approaches. Their common goal has been “to increase food security of smallholder farmers in SSA through reduced postharvest losses at farm and community level".
24/03/2020
On 25 March 2020 will start a series of technical webinars, organized by Agreenium (l'Institut agronomique, vétérinaire et forestier de France), UN-ESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific), and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).
10/10/2019

The State of Food and Agriculture 2019 (SOFA) launched at a press conference with the Director-General and Maximo Torero (ADG-ES), on Monday, 14 October at 12:00 in the Sheikh Zayed Centre is about Moving forward on food loss and waste reduction. It provides in...

2nd All Africa Postharvest Congress and Exhibition
21/08/2019

September 17th – 20th, 2019 at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Postharvest Loss Reduction and Agro-processing: Drivers of Agricultural Transformation in Africa

Acknowledging the urgent need to address this global challenge, the University of Nairobi and a co...

31/05/2019

Kampala - Key agriculture stakeholders in Uganda have commended national efforts towards addressing food and nutrition insecurity as well as increasing national income through strategies to reduce post-harvest losses in grains. The vote of confidence in the government was made...

SFS WEBINAR: Promoting partnerships and synergies for food loss and waste reduction
11/09/2018

The 10YFP is a global commitment that was adopted at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012, in response to the need to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production (SCP) in both developed and developing countries. The One Planet networ...

31/05/2018

FAO is organizing a series of Training of Trainers (TOT) to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals and institutions, through collaboration with institutions, to implement the FAO Food Loss Analysis methodology in order to support evidence-based food losses reduction strategies and policy at national and regional levels.

26/03/2018
A workshop was held at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center (11-15 September 2017), inspired by discussions with the YieldWise Initiative, focused on market-based approaches to scale up successful Post-Harvest Management (PHM) experiences, drawing on lessons from Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). 
01/03/2018
A new project on affordable post-harvest technologies such as low-cost cold storage equipments to boost farmers resilience and income is managed by Dr Jane Ambuko, a scientist at the University of Nairobi's Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection and CoP on food loss reduction member.
Support Post-Harvest Losses Reduction and Agro-Processing (PHAP)
19/10/2017

The African Development Bank, in collaboration with FAO, is organizing a High Level Ministerial Dialogue on Post-Harvest Losses Reduction and Agro-Processing (PHAP), to be held in Abidjan on 21-2...

07/09/2017
Following a joint-event on the lessons learnt from a food loss reduction project implemented collaboratively by the Rome-based UN food agencies, the group called for the scaling up of pilot projects to adequately meet the required reduction in food loss.
Food Loss Related Publications
28/02/2023

This study looks at FLW from an economic perspective, considering producers, intermediaries, and consumers as key decision-makers. It builds on our accumulated experience in the analysis of the causes of FLW and solutions.

31/12/2022

In 2022, the Institute of Food Technology/Food and Nutrition Security Steering Committee hosted a virtual roundtable discussion on their first challenge, “Food Science & Technology Solutions for Reducing Food Waste and Valorizing Waste Streams” on November 1 – 2, 2022. The goal was to identify current and potential future solutions from food science and technology that can contribute to the reduction of food loss and valorization of food processing side streams.

31/12/2022

An approach to allow to present an indicative country profile showing per food product category and chain stage not only the amount of FLW but also the GHGEs related to producing the FLW and induced nutrient losses. The sum differs per product and chain stage. Focusing on food products and chain stages which largely contribute to FLW, FLW-induced GHGEs and nutrient loss can substantially lead to resource use efficiency and at the same time to climate mitigation action and nutrition security.

31/10/2022

Regulatory measures to tackle food loss and waste (FLW) include establishing institutional mechanisms for coordination of action, allocating clear roles and responsibilities among all stakeholders involved and setting binding targets for the reduction of FLW.

30/10/2022

Food loss is a complex issue, often with multiple and interrelated causes operating at different levels. This e-learning course introduces the FAO Case study methodology for the analysis of critical food loss points. This method focuses on revealing and analyzing the multidimensional causes of losses in selected food supply chains, identification of critical loss points, and recommendation of feasible food loss reduction solutions and strategies.

26/10/2022

Stakeholders from across the Mediterranean shared practical experiences of their engagement in circular economy practices for food waste management at urban/local level. Tackling food waste and circularity from diverse angles of the Mediterranean food systems, they reflected on success factors and challenges, discussing ways to facilitate partnerships and replication of solutions across the Mediterranean.

english
20/07/2022

Following the request of the 26th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), FAO has developed the Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction (CoC). The document was submitted to the FAO Conference for consideration and endorsement, and approved on 15 June 2021.

A holistic approach to food loss reduction in Africa
10/06/2022

This paper highlights the critical need for a paradigm shift of current research and development programs aimed at food loss reduction, as demonstrated by findings of a project implemented in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda by the United Nations Rome-based Agencies (RBAs) – The Food and...

01/06/2022

Wageningen University and Research (WUR) experts from numerous domains explore how high-level FLW recommendations can be translated into concrete actions, solutions, and pathways. The authors highlight new scientific insights and practice-oriented research outlining the way forward from what should happen to how this can be done to achieve more sustainable food...

Estimation of nutritional postharvest losses along food value chains
01/02/2022

Postharvest losses (PHLs) amplify food insecurity and reduce the amount of nutrients available to vulnerable populations, especially in the world's Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). However, little is known about nutrient loss at the various postharvest stages. The objective of our study was to develop a methodology and a...

Critical stages for post-harvest losses and nutrition outcomes in the value chains of bush beans and nightshade in Uganda
01/01/2022

The reduction of post-harvest losses (PHLs) has been identified as a key pathway to food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa. However, despite policy prioritisation, knowledge about the severity of PHLs remains scant, especially when it comes to nutrient-dense crops such as African nightshade and bush beans.

01/01/2022

On 14 December 2021, the European Food Banks Federation organised its Annual Forum on Food Aid and Social Inclusion with the title “Fruits and vegetables for human development: let’s take action!”. This conference is organised by FEBA together with Italmercati. On this ocassion, we bring together distinguished speakers addressing the...

A handful of wheat seeds
23/08/2021

Based on the findings achieved, recommendations are made to cover the various aspects of the whole food supply chain (FSC) and to aim at more efficiency and higher levels of productivity. Our findings have significant implications by estimating the FLW baseline indicator and providing the different stakeholders of FSC with the optimal actions to do to reduce FLW rates.

21/08/2021

The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Food Waste, observed for the second time on 29 September 2021, will make a clear call to action for both the public (national or local authorities) and the private (businesses) sectors, as well as individuals, to prioritize actions and move ahead with innovation to reduce food loss and waste towards restoring and building back better and resilient-ready, food systems.

30/06/2021

This study, carried out by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with the Agrifood Economics Division (ESA) at FAO, sheds light on understanding the magnitude, nature and consequences of food losses across the maize value chain in selected regions in Mozambique. In particular, the methodology used in this report allows to accurately measure food losses and identify in which segment of the value chain these food losses occur and the causes of the losses.

RBA project brochure
29/06/2021

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROJECT “MAINSTREAMING FOOD LOSS REDUCTION INITIATIVES FOR SMALLHOLDERS IN FOOD DEFICIT AREAS” JOINTLY IMPLEMENTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS ROME-BASED AGENCIES

Coping strategies of dairy cooperatives and loss and waste
01/04/2021

Unlike any other crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted food value chains at all levels (production, processing, logistics and even consumer behaviour to name a few). The impacts vary across countries and are constantly changing with the spread of the pandemic as governments, stakeholders and other actors in value chains...

2021-Global-Food-Policy-Report
01/01/2021

COVID-19 has upended local, national, and global food systems, and put the Sustainable Development Goals further out of reach. But lessons and momentum from the world’s response to the pandemic can contribute to food system change. In the 2021 Global Food Policy Report, IFPRI researchers and experts explore the impacts...

FLA critical loss points
01/01/2021

The UN Rome-based agencies joint project aimed to improve smallholder food security and incomes in food deficit areas by reducing food losses. The Project contributes to the African Union Malabo Declaration (AUC, 2014) in which Member States committed to halve the levels of post-harvest losses by 2025.

01/01/2021

This brochure highlights the achievements and results of a project jointly developed and implemented by the three United Nations (UN) Rome-based agencies (RBA) FAO, IFAD, and WFP from 2013 to 2020, funded by the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency, that contributes towards the AU Malabo declaration and SDG targets for...

Food Loss Related Events

7/ 6

2016

9/6

2016

Douala (Cameroon), 07/06/2016 - 09/06/2016

Doulala, Cameroon - A three-day workshop organized in the framework of the project entitled ‘Food loss reduction strategy development in favour of smallholder producers in Africa Phase 1’ will be held in Douala, Cameroun from 7 to 9 June 2016. The worksho

16/ 2

2016

17/2

2016

Virtual Event, 16/02/2016 - 17/02/2016

Webminar - "seed system" organizes two webinars by Dr. Dieudonne Baributsa, Purdue University #1 on the hermetic technology : This webinar will discuss hermetic technologies for seed as well as grain storage. Hermetic technologies are airtight chemical-f

16/ 2

2016

17/2

2016

Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), 16/02/2016 - 17/02/2016

Abu Dhabi /  Parallel General Session 3 - Horticulture (17 February 2016) Innovative agro-logistics to reduce post-harvest losses from farm to fork. The session will present case study material from Egypt, Morocco, Benin and Nigeria.

11/ 1

2016

13/1

2016

Jimma (Ethiopia), 11/01/2016 - 13/01/2016

Jimma, Ethiopia - The Postharvest Education Foundation will be holding a workshop in Jimma, on the campus of Jimma University. Target audience of this event are practitioners who are interested in small-scale postharvest "best practices" and planning post

4/ 12

2015

Virtual Event, 04/12/2015

Rome, Italy - During the 153rd session of FAO Council, this side event will launch the FAO and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Technical Platform on Food Loss and Waste and highlight knowledge and concrete steps.

1/ 12

2015

2/12

2015

Durban (South Africa), 01/12/2015 - 02/12/2015

Durban, South Africa - Panel discussion: Developing agro-industry (Wednesday, December 2 / 11:45-13:15 hrs) In partnership with the African Development Bank With Africa facing huge post-harvest losses, how can the continent scale up innovations in agro-

12/ 10

2015

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 12/10/2015

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - AFAAS is organizing a side event on post-harvest management of grains during the ‘AFAAS Second Africa Wide Agricultural Extension Week 2015’, 12 – 16 October, 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Global Programme Food Security (GPFS

4/ 10

2015

7/10

2015

Rome (Italy), 04/10/2015 - 07/10/2015

The ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss at the University of Illinois is organizing an International Congress on "Developing Measurement Approaches and Intervention Strategies for Smallholders" to be held in Rome, Italy. This congress wi

1/ 10

2015

30/10

2015

Virtual Event, 01/10/2015 - 30/10/2015

  From 1 to 30 October 2015, the Livestock Production Systems Branch of Animal Production and Health Division, FAO will host, as part of the “Save Food” initiative, an e-conference on "Utilization of Food Loss and Waste as well as Non-Food Parts as Lives

14/ 9

2015

25/9

2015

Wageningen (Netherlands), 14/09/2015 - 25/09/2015

Large contrasts exist in how we manage the food we have available. While in parts of our societies there is a shortage of food, in the urban and wealthier communities, good food is thrown away only because it is beyond its sell-by date. Optimising the ‘fa

8/ 9

2015

10/9

2015

Jinja (Uganda), Hybrid Event, 08/09/2015 - 10/09/2015

Jinja, Uganda - The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC - Global Cooperation/Global Programme Food Security is organizing a workshop on Post-Harvest Management (PHM) /Food Loss Reduction (FLR). Parti

13/ 8

2015

15/8

2015

Krong Siem Reap (Cambodia), 13/08/2015 - 15/08/2015

Siem Reap - Cambodia. The conference will be held on 13-15 August 2015 at Apsara Angkor Resort & Conference Center, Siem Reap. SEAsia2015 is organized by the Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and University of California Davis, US

20/ 7

2015

15/8

2015

Virtual Event, 20/07/2015 - 15/08/2015

The ADM Institute's online course "Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies and Actors" will be offered for a second time starting July 20. This 4-week online course is free to all and registration is now open on Coursera. Join parti

24/ 6

2015

26/6

2015

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 24/06/2015 - 26/06/2015

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia An important discussion on how Africa will reduce postharvest losses to provide more and nutritious food, and create wealth and security for its people through the development of the post-production sector of the value chain. The C

16/ 6

2015

19/6

2015

The Hague (Netherlands), 16/06/2015 - 19/06/2015

The Hague (Netherlands) - The Government of the Netherlands will host the Conference NO MORE FOOD TO WASTE - Global action to stop food losses and food waste from 16th to 19th of June at The World Forum in The Hague, The Netherlands. A High Level Segment

28/ 4

2015

30/4

2015

Tel Aviv-Yafo (Israel), 28/04/2015 - 30/04/2015

Tel Aviv, Israel. The 19th International Agricultural - Agritech Israel 2015 is one of the world’s most important exhibitions in the field of agricultural technologies. The exhibition will be held April 28 – 30, 2015 at the Israel Trade Fairs and Convent

25/ 3

2015

27/3

2015

Dresden (Germany), Hybrid Event, 25/03/2015 - 27/03/2015

FAO is organizing a seminar on “environmental resources and food losses and waste” at the Dresden Nexus Conference 2015 . The conference takes place from 25-27 March 2015 in Dresden, Germany under the heading of ”Global Change, Sustainable Development Goa

9/ 3

2015

11/3

2015

Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), 09/03/2015 - 11/03/2015

As the reduction of food waste must be part of a portfolio of solutions needed to feed the world more sustainably, GFIA 2015 will include a major focus on the important issues. In partnership with Wageningen UR this side event will comprise a two-day, sol

23/ 2

2015

27/2

2015

Arusha (Tanzania), 23/02/2015 - 27/02/2015

The Postharvest Education Foundation offers global postharvest e-learning programs, training materials and participatory workshops on appropriate postharvest technologies for participants in more than 15 developing countries. In association with local par

2/ 2

2015

1/3

2015

Virtual Event, 02/02/2015 - 01/03/2015

The ADM Institute for the prevention of postharvest loss of the Illinois University offers a free online course. The course provides an overview of the issue of postharvest loss of grains by exploring essential physical, technical, and social dimensions o