Dear Editor,
Food wastage is fast assuming serious dimensions. According to latest statistics, it has been highly observed that a staggering 1.3 billion tonnes of food is being wasted annually. Although the government has taken steps to rein in food wastage, but given the depth of the problem, they are not up to the mark. The focus must be on food processing technologies that are both advanced and affordable. India should take a cue from global practices that are both unorthodox and innovative in order to tackle food wastage problem. For instance, France has passed unanimous legislation requiring supermarkets to either give unsold food to charity or send it to farmers for use as seed and fertiliser. Similarly, institutions in Canada are recovering unused and unspoiled food from retailers, manufacturers, restaurants and caterers and sending them to charities, in the process delivering ingredient for over 22,000 meals daily. These powerful initiatives have made a big difference in how these countries have approached a vexing issue. India can also effectively use technology to script a new chapter in prevention of food wastage. It is time to recognise this colossal scale of waste and take appropriate action that not only benefits humanity but the environment as well.
Vivek Koul
Bank Colony
Gole Gujral Jammu
