Food safety recommends rational consumption to achieve sustainable food security, a matter that has garnered widespread attention. With the increase in population and urban expansion, it has become essential to adopt clear strategies that contribute to reducing food loss and enhancing food security sustainability. These efforts require collaboration among all stakeholders in the food chain, from farmers to consumers, to ensure a better food future for everyone.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority urged all individuals and farmers to avoid behaviors and habits that lead to food loss and waste at various stages of the food chain, from farm to table. The authority confirmed that the greatest loss occurs between the harvesting and retail sale stages. It emphasized the importance of consumers developing positive food habits, such as moderating the quantities of food prepared and purchasing according to actual needs, while also considering health requirements for storage and shopping.
During an awareness meeting organized by the authority, the concept of food waste was clarified, defined as “food that is lost or wasted, despite often being suitable for human consumption.” Global statistics indicate that approximately one billion people suffer from hunger, with the cost of disposing of food waste estimated at $410 billion annually. If only 25% of current food waste were reduced, it would be sufficient to feed nearly 870 million people.
The authority warned that food waste is not only a waste of food but also represents a significant loss of resources such as water, arable land, and energy. It identified three main areas reflecting the impact of food waste on the environment, including increased methane emissions resulting from rotting food. Therefore, the authority recommends proper shopping preparation, creating suitable shopping lists based on the actual needs of the household, and the importance of good food storage to ensure it does not spoil.
Additionally, the authority called for practical steps to reduce food waste, including encouraging local products, planning weekly meals, and understanding food expiration dates, especially for canned or perishable items. It is also recommended to prepare appropriate quantities of food, avoid overfilling plates, and ensure leftovers are stored correctly to minimize waste.
In ongoing improvement efforts, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority plays a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of food production and reducing loss and waste, through training programs for those working in the agricultural and food sectors, as well as awareness campaigns for consumers on consumption rationalization steps. These efforts are not only aimed at preserving food security but also at building a sustainable food culture that ensures equitable distribution of food waste.
The authority has also issued a set of regulations focusing on food safety, along with guidelines for food institutions on how to reduce loss and waste during harvesting and transportation processes. It has become important to adopt a scientific approach to evaluating the safety of food products, which enhances the efforts made to limit food loss and waste and the value of the resources that are wasted.
By moving forward with these initiatives, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority aims to improve the level of food security in the emirate, ensuring that food consumption practices are safe and sustainable, thereby enhancing communities’ ability to adapt to the ongoing changes in the global food market.