Fight against food waste: the meat supply chain is the most virtuous

On the occasion of the annual National Day for the Prevention of Food Waste (which is celebrated on February 5), the data relating to Italy in 2020 were disclosed: national domestic food waste is worth 6 billion and 403 million, while 10 billion also considering losses in the field and waste in industry and distribution (data from Waste Watcher International / Distal Unibo). Fortunately, the trend is improving since in 2020 “only” 27 kg of food per person (529 grams per week) ended up in the garbage, 11.78% (3.6 kg) less per year than the year of over 222,000 tons of “saved” food in Italy, for a saving of € 6 per capita. (For data source and insights click here)

Among the most “wasted” foods, at the top of the (sad) ranking there is always fresh fruit (37%), followed by fresh vegetables (28.1%), salad (21%) and fresh bread (21%) . Meat, on the other hand, is not only less wasted (perhaps because it has a greater economic and perceived value) but also proves to be virtuous along the entire supply chain. The production and consumption of meat, in fact, generate a quantity of waste (edible food “lost” in the production chain) and waste (food thrown away once placed on the market) more than halved compared to fruit and vegetables, and equal to almost half of the waste produced by the cereal supply chain.

Operators can play an important role in making their customers aware of waste reduction. It is important to advise about the doses, to avoid excess purchases (think in particular of cold cuts sliced at the moment), the correct storage methods, also encouraging the sale of meat already vacuum-packed, indicating the freezing temperature and procedures and times of defrosting for different cuts of fresh meat for those who prefer to buy larger quantities. But also favor with discounts or promotions the sale of products with an immediate expiration date, recommend cooking methods also suitable for meats perhaps “forgotten” in the fridge and, in general, giving visibility and prominence to national and international campaigns and projects that , like Trust Your Taste, the fight against food waste is also proposed as one of the objectives.