September 29 is International Day for Food Loss and Waste Awareness. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has designated this day to help raise awareness about the importance of this problem and its possible solutions. According to the FAO, a third of the food produced is wasted every year in the world, the causes are many and must be identified.
In the European Union (EU) it is estimated that approximately 88 million tonnes of food waste are generated each year and it is estimated that 53% of waste occurs in households.
One of the most contributing causes of this waste is the misinterpretation by the consumer of the date of consumption indicated on the product label.
- The expiration date tells us how far the food can be safely consumed. Do not consume any product if the expiration date has passed.
- The preferred date of consumption tells us by what date the food has the expected quality. Once the preferred date of consumption has elapsed, the food is still safe, so it can be consumed as long as it has been preserved as indicated by the manufacturer, the packaging is intact and the food retains its own organoleptic characteristics.
Working to reduce food waste and waste is a shared responsibility that generates benefits for the health of our planet and for society .
We invite everyone to join this commemoration by remembering these tips: Against waste you have a lot to do !!!
IV Week against Food Waste
AECOC will lead, until October 2, the actions of the IV Week against Food Waste that, once again, will involve citizens, companies and public administrations in actions and projects aimed at raising awareness in society about the value of food.
One of the most outstanding actions of this IV Week against Food Waste will be the Green Tide that, for the second consecutive year, will dye the most emblematic spaces of towns and cities throughout the Spanish geography in this color. The action will take place on September 29, coinciding with the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, and will aim to sensitize and involve the population in the fight against food loss.
The points of sale of the main distribution companies in the country will display posters and messages designed by AECOC during this week, encouraging people to rediscover the value of food and make good use of it. In the same way, the Association will facilitate informative materials to take to the classrooms the commitment in the fight against waste.
And, one more year, the contests will be the protagonists of the week. This year, AECOC proposes that citizens express their creativity to create the most original mini stories with themes related to the use and value of food.
The little ones will also have the opportunity to participate in the IV Week against Food Waste. AECOC will launch this year the first Contest of the Superhero and Superheroine Against Waste for boys and girls between 5 and 10 years old to capture on paper their hero or heroine who fights against waste.
