In order to try to combat food waste in Brazil, 26.3 million only in 2013, the The Inter-ministerial Chamber of Food and Nutrition Security (Caisan) prepared the Intersectoral Strategy for the Reduction of Food Losses and Waste in Brazil.
To the adviser of the National Council of Food and Nutritional Security (Consea), Teresa Corção, Brazil must break with a culture of waste, which, according to her, comes from the colonial period to reduce levels of food loss. She points out that this waste can occur at different times and that, therefore, it is everyone’s role to fight it.
According to her, “A place without good infrastructure, where the farmer can not take the food he has produced to a nearby place because he has no road, bus, transportation, causes a waste at the base at the beginning of the food supply chain. From there, it has several wastes: in storage, in transportation, in retail, to the person’s house or the restaurant, where there is consumption and disposal. It is an entire chain in which, at various moments, the individual, with his attitude, enters the public power, with his role of regulator and educator. “
Thinking of punctual measures that can ease the per capita food waste worldwide by 2030, society can adopt simple actions.
Plan the purchase – Many people buy a large quantity of certain products without needing them. In addition, it is common that, throughout the month, forget to use some food. That’s why the tip is always worth buying only what you need.
Use of leftovers – Find information on how to reuse the leftovers. One example is fruit, which can be made into jams. Also, check which foods can be frozen and reheated later.
Properly store food – Follow the instructions to conserve food for as long as possible, always keeping the expiration date.
Calculate the portions – Before preparing the meal, count the number of people who will eat to avoid wastage.
Handling care – It is common for people to choose foods, especially vegetables and fruits, by groping them. Often the lack of care causes the food to be returned to the gondolas “bruised”, and the tendency is not to be consumed anymore. Therefore, it is important to handle them with caution.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.