The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that one-third of all the food produced globally is lost or wasted each year.[1] When food ends up unusable or uneaten, all of the inputs and resources (seeds, water, nutrients, fuel, etc.) used to grow it are wasted too. What’s more, six percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food that is lost in supply chains or wasted by consumers.[2] Less food loss and waste would lead to more efficient food production overall, including more efficient land use and better water resource management. That’s why it’s so important to reduce food loss and food waste however we can, and science and technology can play a key role.
MYTH: Food loss and food waste are the same thing
FACT: Food loss happens during its journey from farm to retailer. Food waste happens in retail, restaurants and our kitchens when food gets thrown away.
Food loss typically takes place before food ever makes it to the consumer. It starts right in the famer’s fields with insects, weeds and disease attacking crops. While farmers take steps to try to prevent pest infestations, pesticides are an important tool in their toolbox that can help them combat pests and protect their crops – and our food. Food loss can also happen when extreme weather conditions damage crops, or it can happen when a harvested crop spills or spoils after harvest.
Changing climate conditions are leading to more unpredictable weather patterns that can cause significant damage to crops and lead to new or more pest challenges that can ravage a farmer’s crop. Plant science innovations, such as plant breeding help produce plants and foods that are more resilient and resistant to climate change and pest pressures. This can help protect plants in the field and make sure more food makes it to consumers at the end of the day.
MYTH: Food loss and waste is only a problem in restaurants and people’s homes
FACT: At each point along the journey to the consumer food is lost. In fact, fourteen percent of the world’s food is lost after a crop is harvested and before it reaches the consumer.[3]
Once a crop is harvested in the field, it may still be a while before it ends up in your fridge or pantry. Some crops like potatoes and carrots may spend months in storage waiting to be shipped to grocery stores. During that time, things like insects, physical damage, or diseases can result in food that is of a lower quality or can’t be sold for consumption. This is not only wasteful, but can also negatively impact the bottom line of the farmers who grew the food.
Farmers will work to keep their crops as healthy as possible during the growing season so that they have the best chance of making it to market. There are also technologies that they can use to protect their crop once they have been harvested (e.g. post-harvest sprays that protect potatoes from fungi that can cause them to rot in storage)[4]. Health Canada regulates every pesticide in Canada to ensure they can be used safely and will not pose a risk to human health or the environment.
MYTH: Food loss during transportation is unavoidable
FACT: Plant breeding is leading to new, hardier varieties of crops that can better endure the transportation process. For example, genetically modified potatoes that are less susceptible to bruising and browning result in less waste as they make their way to their final destination.
Most people are familiar with picking up a fruit or vegetable and seeing physical damage that makes part, or all of the food inedible. Often, that food ends up in the garbage or the compost. Scientists are working on addressing this issue in everything from mushrooms to potatoes. For example, by making small edits to DNA (e.g., removing a gene that causes browning) researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have reduced browning in mushrooms by 30 percent[5]. The genetically modified Innate® potato is resistant to browning and bruising, which can help to decrease the estimated 400 million pounds of potatoes that are thrown away every year due to blemishes[6].
MYTH: Pesticides don’t help reduce food loss and waste
FACT: Pesticides help farmers protect crops from insects, weeds and disease, both during farm production and during transportation and storage after harvesting. Without pesticides, it’s estimated that farmers globally would produce about half as much food[7]!
Have you ever tried to grow tomatoes or lettuce in your backyard, only to end up losing part of your crop to insects or disease? Farmers face a constant battle against pests that can damage their crops both before and after harvest. Pesticides can help to protect food crops so that safe, affordable, high- quality food is available for consumers. Imagine this: without pesticides, Canadian farmers would grow 61% fewer cucumbers, 53% fewer peppers and 59% fewer grapes[8].
MYTH: Apples turn brown and go to waste and there’s nothing we can do about it
FACT: Apples turn brown when sliced and bruise easily, which results in a lot of tossed apples. In fact, about 1,225,000 apples are wasted everyday in Canada[9] . New genetically modified non-browning apples are helping to take a bite out of food waste.
Sliced apples are an awesome snack and a great addition to salads. But no one wants them when they’re brown. The Arctic® Apple was developed using genetic engineering[10]. Because these apples don’t release an enzyme [called polyphenol oxidase (PPO)] they resist browning and stay fresh up to 28 days after slicing[11]. This can result in major reductions in food waste for both food service providers and home cooks, which is great news for both our wallets and the planet.
[1] https://www.fao.org/food-loss-and-food-waste/flw-data
[2] https://ourworldindata.org/food-waste-emissions
[3] https://www.fao.org/food-loss-and-food-waste/flw-data
[4] https://knowmoregrowmore.com/preserve-potato-quality-during-storage-with-effective-fungicides/
[5] https://www.wired.co.uk/article/farm-food-waste-genetics
[6] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/potato-possible-carcinogenic and https://www.potatogrower.com/2015/01/innate-potatoes-deregulated
[7] https://helpingcanadagrow.ca/benefits-to-communities
[8] https://helpingcanadagrow.ca/benefits-to-communities
[9] https://lovefoodhatewaste.ca/about/food-waste/
[10] https://www.realdirtonfarming.ca/article/healthy-and-safe-food/gmos
[11] https://arcticapples.com/about-us/faq/