Reducing Food Waste, Saving The Environment
Food waste, a growing problem that affects corporations, hospitals, schools, restaurants and individual households. It is having an increasing negative impact on the global environment.
Food waste includes any food that is discarded during processing, handling, storage, preparation, cooking and serving. When food is wasted, energy is wasted, these are energy used in growing, harvesting, transporting, receiving goods, as well as energy and water used in food preparation, preparation, serving and cleaning, together with disposal costs.
Let’s look at some of the reasons behind food waste :
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Oversized portions served than what is needed by consumers
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Lower food cost leading to devaluation of food
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Overproduction, people tend to purchase or make more than needed
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Mishandling of logistics and inadequate refrigeration or storage facilities, especially for perishable food items
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Throwing out extra food due to worry of food turning unsafe for consumption when kept in storage
Tips to handle food waste issue in food service operations :
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Modify menu to increase customers’ satisfaction to reduce uneaten food
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Examine production and handling practices to decrease preparation food waste
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Ensure proper storage technique for food
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Be creative with excess food in the kitchen
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Reduce serving sizes as appropriate and avoid using garnishing that won’t be eaten
Tips for consumers and household :
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Use a planned shopping list, avoid impulsive purchases that are likely to spoil before use
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Freeze foods that aren’t used today for another time
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Serve smaller portions to reduce remaining serving going to trash, or pack extras in containers for guests or neighbours to take home.
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Snap a picture of refrigerator/ freezer and pantry before shopping to avoid purchasing extra items that are already available
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Bring a takeaway box to keep your leftovers when you eat out
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Ensure the temperature of your fridge is not more than 40 Fahrenheit, and your freezer should be 0 Fahrenheit
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Follow the 2-hour rule for food safety reasons, also remember to refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Reduce food waste, save money, protect the environment.
(Updated : February, 2020)
Disclaimer : The website may contain information relating to various conditions and treatment, gathered and sourced from reputable sources. However, this is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, it is solely intended for informational purposes only. Patients should always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider for thorough medical advice and information about diagnosis and treatment.
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