Food Losses and Waste in the Context of Food Security

Abstract

The article deals with food losses and waste – a global problem manifested along the entire agri-food chain. Food losses and waste during the deepening global food crisis caused by the current geopolitical situation and the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to food insecurity. Food shortages are a huge problem for millions of people suffering from hunger in the world, especially in developing countries on the African and Asian continents. The total amount of food wasted in the EU countries in 2020 is almost 57 million tons. In Poland, 4,8 million tons of food are wasted annually, while approximately 1.6 million people live in extreme poverty. Food losses and waste also put enormous pressure on natural resources, biodiversity, the natural environment, the economy and sustainable development, thus threatening food security. This problem was reflected in the EU strategies and the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. Reducing food losses and waste will contribute to improving food security in the world and, at the same time, will reduce the pressure on the natural environment.