Food losses and waste in the context of sustainable food and nutrition security

Food wastage (i.e., food losses and waste [FLW]) refers to a decrease in the quantity of food intended for human consumption along the food chain (from production to consumption). FLW are recognized as a global issue, as over a third of the global food production is lost or wasted, with impacts on both food and nutrition security and on food systems sustainability. This chapter analyzes the issues of FLW in the context of food and nutrition security. It also explores the causes of FLW as well as their environmental and economic implications. Moreover, the chapter relates FLW to food systems (un)sustainability. Food wastage represents a loss of valuable nutrients; thus the chapter goes beyond food security (cf. caloric energy and kcal) and looks to the nutritional value of food wasted (cf. nutrients, minerals, vitamins). The reduction of FLW is essential to achieve sustainable food and nutrition security for present and future generations within the safe operating space for humanity.