Consultation launched on improved reporting of food waste by large food businesses in England
On 13 June 2022, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched a consultation, to better improve the reporting of food waste by large food businesses in England. The consultation closes on the 5 September 2022 and is asking for views from those specifically within the food industry.
Roughly one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year, gets lost or wasted. This volume of food waste is inefficient, increases the price of food for consumers and undermines our national self-sufficiency. This consultation aims reduce this amount of food waste, which can help food businesses cut costs, which can be passed onto customers, and identify food that could be redistributed to the most vulnerable.
The government is seeking views on the following options which are in consideration to improve food waste reporting by food businesses in England to reduce food wastage:
- Options to improve food waste reporting
- Types of businesses in scope
- Material in scope to be reported
- The reporting process which businesses in scope may need to follow
- Costs and impacts
- Enforcement of any regulations
The consultation is looking for views on these areas of food waste reporting from businesses involved in the production, manufacture, processing, sale or distribution of food and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) concerned about the cost of food waste to their business, inefficiencies in the food industry, or the impact of food waste on the environment.
To read the full consultation document, or provide your views, click here.