Nils-Gerrit Wunsch
Research expert covering foods trends in North America, Europe, and the global food system
Get in touch with us nowItaly: effects of food waste 2016
In a poll from 2016 about food waste, 60 percent of Italians pointed out that wasted food could be handed out to those who cannot afford it. Another 29 percent of respondents was aware of the money loss caused by food wasting. This issue was taken very seriously already in 2015, when 33 percent of Italian families stated to be very concerned by wasting food in their household.
A global issue
Data from 2017 indicated that huge amounts of food get wasted worldwide. Fruits and vegetables head the ranking with 492 million tons, followed by cereals at 317 million tons. Some countries are taking positive steps to combat food waste; however, Italy was not among those virtuous ones in 2018. A study released in 2017 indicated that, out of 23 countries, Italy produced the eighth highest food waste amount, with 145 kilograms per capita.
Consumer behavior
Even though large sectors of commerce and retail are responsible for such waste, individual action in daily life can contribute to limit food waste. Being more cautious when doing grocery or using leftovers when cooking were common habits among Italian households, reported by a survey conducted in 2016.
A global issue
Data from 2017 indicated that huge amounts of food get wasted worldwide. Fruits and vegetables head the ranking with 492 million tons, followed by cereals at 317 million tons. Some countries are taking positive steps to combat food waste; however, Italy was not among those virtuous ones in 2018. A study released in 2017 indicated that, out of 23 countries, Italy produced the eighth highest food waste amount, with 145 kilograms per capita.
Consumer behavior
Even though large sectors of commerce and retail are responsible for such waste, individual action in daily life can contribute to limit food waste. Being more cautious when doing grocery or using leftovers when cooking were common habits among Italian households, reported by a survey conducted in 2016.
