How to stop food waste? France sets an example

Mexico loses about 37% of the food it produces due to food waste, this amount would be enough to feed more than seven million people, according to FAO data (Food and Agriculture Organization). Some of the most wasted foods are: Guava 57.73 % Cow's milk 57.14 % Mango 54.54 % Fish and sardines 54.07 % Avocado 53.97 % Green banana and tabasco 53.76 % Nopal 53.26 % Rice 46.87 % Cucumber 45.46 % To stop the above, the Government of our country is working on the National Crusade Against Hunger, which determines the magnitude of the problem in the regions and seeks possible solutions in the country. The goal is to minimize post-harvest losses of food during storage, transportation, marketing, and distribution. Likewise, our country is part of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which pursues the Reduction of Food Losses and Waste and works on a Regional Alliance to collaborate with other brother countries. However, one of the countries that has taken measures against food waste is France, whose Government aims to reduce food waste by 2025 and has the unanimous support of the National Assembly. With the backing of the Energy Transition Law, starting July 1, 2016, supermarkets with an area larger than 400 square meters will not be allowed to throw away perishable products. On the contrary, products that are no longer suitable for human consumption due to expiration or damage to packaging must be donated to organizations responsible for animal feed and agricultural fertilizer production. In France, 20 kilos of food per person are wasted each year, according to data from the Ministry of Ecology. According to the FAO, food waste for human consumption amounts to one-third of national production, which translates into 1,300 million tons of waste per year that generates 3,300 tons of carbon dioxide. France's commitment to this fight began in 2010 when it was analyzed that in reality, half of food waste occurs on the journey from farm to plate. Although the measures adopted a few years ago are similar to the current ones, the goal this time is the participation of the entire food production and distribution chain. According to El País, another fundamental point of this law is the work in schools, where students will be made aware of the need to stop food waste. See full article.