Food loss and waste (FLW) is generally examined throughout the food supply chain (FSC). As food loss and food waste occur at different points in the FSC, it is necessary to look at the food production status of the country first. One would expect that additional precautions to reduce food wastage would be taken in the case of limited food availability and access. FLW is a problem not only in terms of food scarcity but also in terms of environmental impact. It hinders food availability, particularly in regions of the world with limited food supplies, and has negative environmental impacts worldwide, including inefficient use of water and land and unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. Food is lost or wasted throughout the FSC, starting with agricultural production and ending with consumption, destruction or other forms of disposal. Total food loss from the agricultural production step in the FSC in the world was found to be around 412.9 million tons, which is 20% of the food produced in Europe, North America, and Latin America regions.
Green and digital technologies are increasingly being used to prevent, reuse, and recycle food waste, creating new opportunities for the economy and society. Examples include technologies and innovations in thermal preservation, biological and biochemical preservation, solar-powered cold storage, active packaging, waste-to-energy, composting, recycling, and upcycling. Emerging digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile applications offer innovative solutions for food sharing, smart packaging, smart labeling, dynamic pricing, product traceability, smart redistribution, shopping and meal planning, and smart storage.
Minimising food waste is of utmost importance within agrifood supply chain. The integration of digital technologies holds immense potential for enhancing supply chain efficiency and mitigating food waste. The following actions can be implemented to diminish food waste through the utilization of digital technologies in agrifood supply chain:
- Smart inventory management: Digital technologies such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, barcodes, and sensors can be used to monitor the inventory in real-time. This facilitates the identification of stock levels, expiry dates, and demand patterns, thereby minimizing excess inventory and spoilage.
- Predictive analytics: Machine learning algorithms and predictive analytics enable the anticipation of food product demand, facilitating production planning, minimizing overproduction, and preventing spoilage caused by excessive inventory.
- Smart packaging: Utilizing smart packaging, including time-temperature indicators, freshness sensors, and oxygen scavengers, can effectively preserve the quality and freshness of food products. This aids in minimizing spoilage and waste resulting from food degradation.
- Food traceability: Implementing blockchain technology enables the establishment of a secure and transparent system for tracing food products throughout the entire supply chain. This facilitates the identification of contamination sources and mitigates waste caused by product recalls.
- Donation and redistribution: Utilizing digital platforms facilitates the connection between excess food supplies and charitable organizations, ensuring a reduction in waste and enhancing food security for vulnerable populations.
Conclusion – In general, the adoption and integration of digital technologies offer significant potential in addressing the issue of food waste within the agrifood supply chain. By implementing these measures, not only can we enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, but we can also foster sustainable practices, all the while ensuring greater accessibility to food for those in need. The use of digital tools and solutions presents an opportunity to streamline processes, optimise resource utilisation, and minimise wastage, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and equitable food system that benefits both producers and consumers alike.
