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Food Waste In America

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In America, more than one-third of the food produced goes to waste every year, with most of it ending up in the environment. The food waste is equal to 320,000 jumbo jets worth of food thrown into our environment every year (Cicatiello, 101). Recycling, reusing and reducing wasted food and creation of infrastructures that support these actions through the supply chain can help in feeding the Americans who are food insecure approximated to be 49 million (Cicatiello, 101). Decrease in agricultural stress on the surroundings, and increase in business efficiencies for those either producing or selling food. This essay shows areas in food supply chain where food wasting can occur and economic and environmental effect of wasted food, and the occasions when registered dietitian and nutritionists can assist reduce food wastage in an infrastructure where we have consumer and …show more content…
According to FAO and USDA food loss is defined as the edible quantity of food, postharvest, that is present for human consumption although is not eaten for any reason. It involves natural shrinkage and cooking loss; loss of pests, molds, or insufficient climate regulation. Food wasted is recognized as part of food loss. FAO defines food waste as "food which is fit for consumption being discarded, often at consumer and retail levels." Also, the USDA defines food as a constituent of food loss and takes place when an edible item is not consumed as in food thrown away by retailers because of appearance or color and plate waste by consumers. Some organizations and experts also indicate that excess consumption of calories is also a kind of food waste, which can also cause chronic disease. In this paper food waste will be referred using the consumer-friendly term known as wasted food. About National Resource Defense Council (2012), in America, around 40% of produced food goes to waste. Food waste

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