Food Chain - Issue 202 - October 2024 | Page 13

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Food waste

Food waste is a major issue across global supply chains , contributing to both economic loss and environmental destruction .

According to the United Nations ’ Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO ), approximately 14 percent of the food produced globally is lost between harvest and retail markets , and an additional 17 percent is wasted at retailers , or by consumers . This amounts to food valued at around $ 400 billion in 2019 .
Much of this waste occurs during transportation and distribution , where inefficiencies in logistics are largely to blame . Collection delays , the lack of effective cold chain management , and inefficiencies in transportation contribute to a significant problem .
Given ever-rising populations and the growing need to address food waste , businesses in the food industry are turning to innovative technologies to address such problems .
Among these solutions , transportation management systems ( TMS ) have become a valuable tool for improving supply chain efficiency and minimizing waste . TMS , digital platforms designed to streamline the movement of goods , improve the chances that perishable products reach their destination on time and in optimal condition .
foodchainmagazine . com 13