Regulations needed to reduce food loss, waste: Bapanas
Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Indonesia’s National Food Agency (Bapanas) expressed support for the formulation of regulations that aim to reduce food loss and waste in the country.
“Bapanas supports the formulation of regulations that can optimize food waste, facilitate relevant studies, and collect data on food loss and waste themselves,” Bapanas Head Arief Prasetyo Adi said.
Speaking at the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss & Waste event in Jakarta on Friday,
Adi said food loss and waste constitute one of the common major challenges threatening the global food system.
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recorded 1.3 billion tons of food, or equivalent to one-third of food produced, wasted per year, he noted.
He then highlighted the 2021 Food Waste Index Report that shows about 13 percent of the total global food produced is lost along production and supply processes, and as much as 17 percent of food is wasted due to wasteful behavior.
In Indonesia, the total amount of food loss and waste combined during the 2000-2019 period was recorded at 23-48 million tons, or 115-184 kilograms per capita per year, resulting in economic losses of Rp213-Rp551 trillion (US$13.7-35.6 billion) per year, he pointed out.
“According to the 2022 food resilience index, several regions in Indonesia still belong to food-vulnerable groups. We all need to place this as a common concern, so we can manage and reduce food loss and waste,” he stated.
Furthermore, Adi explained that parties should initially focus on preventive measures aimed at saving food from being wasted. He suggested that when it is no longer possible for the food to be saved, then it can be donated.
In addition, food can be used as animal feed, compost, and materials for industrial activities, he elaborated.
“Bapanas has been prioritizing three aspects to maintain food resilience, namely better nutrition, better behavior, and better collaboration. Therefore, Bapanas has initiated the Selamatkan Pangan (Save Food) movement to realize zero waste to end hunger,” he stated.