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Food waste remains a pressing issue in the European Union, with Eurostat’s latest report shedding light on the alarming statistics for 2022. Each EU citizen generated approximately 132 kilograms of food waste, totaling over 59 million metric tons across various sectors, including households, retail, and food production. Notably, households accounted for 54% of this waste, averaging 72 kg per person.

Key Findings:

  • Waste by Sector:
    • Households: 32 million tons (54%)
    • Processing and Manufacturing: 11 million tons (19%)
    • Restaurants and Food Services: 7 million tons (11%)
    • Retail: 5 million tons (8%)
    • Primary Production: 5 million tons (8%)
  • Food Waste Trends: The 2022 figures show a slight increase in per capita food waste compared to 2021, with a total increase of 800,000 metric tons.
  • Country-Specific Data: Germany, France, and Italy lead in food waste generation, contributing significantly to the EU’s overall figures.

The EU is actively reviewing its Waste Framework Directive, aiming to establish binding reduction targets for food waste across member states. The proposal includes a 40% reduction target for households and retail by 2030, alongside a 20% target for processing and manufacturing.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to tackle food waste at all levels of the food supply chain. Initiatives like the ROSETTA project are crucial in this context, focusing on the impact of marketing standards on food waste and developing sustainable solutions to repurpose food that doesn’t meet strict criteria.

By promoting collaboration among key stakeholders and encouraging the adoption of alternative market access for “imperfect” food, ROSETTA aims to significantly reduce food waste across the EU. Stay tuned for more updates and follow us on Social Media to join the conversation!

For more detailed insights and data, visit the Eurostat website.

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