Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, the European Green Deal will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy.

In the EU, nearly 57 million tonnes of food waste (127 kg/inhabitant) are generated annually with an associated market value estimated at 130 billion euros (Eurostat, 2022).

The EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste (FLW) was established in 2016, bringing together EU institutions, experts from the EU countries, international organisations and relevant stakeholders selected through an open call for applications. The Platform aims to support all actors in: defining measures needed to prevent food waste; sharing best practice; and evaluating progress made over time.

As called for by the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission will propose legally binding targets to reduce food waste across the EU by the end of 2023, defined against a baseline for EU food waste levels set following the first EU-wide monitoring of food waste levels. The food waste reduction targets will be proposed as part of a wider initiative to revise the "Waste Framework Directive" which is expected to propose measures to reduce waste generation and increase preparation for re-use or recycling of waste.

In order to ensure that national efforts against food waste are informed by a solid evidence base and support sharing of innovation and best practice, the EU has been working on augmenting and improving the quantification of food waste levels.

Misinterpretation by consumers of the meaning of the "use by" and "best before" dates can contribute to household food waste. As called for by the new Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission will propose, the revision of EU rules on date marking.

The primary focus of food waste prevention should be to act directly at source by limiting the generation of surplus food at each stage in the food supply chain (i.e. production, processing, distribution and consumption).

The EU Food Loss and Waste Prevention Hub is a "one-stop-shop" for stakeholders active in the area of food loss and waste prevention and reduction.

Dissemination of information is very important in the Commission's approach to tackling food waste in co-operation with the EU countries and stakeholders. The Commission has prepared communication materials in all languages related to food waste reduction.

The content of the documents does not necessarily represent the official position of the European Commission

The Farm to Fork Strategy is at the heart of the European Green Deal aiming to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.

We enhance the knowledge base for policymaking on the bioeconomy.

Food loss and waste increase the risk of food insecurity, malnutrition and excessive water use at a time when world hunger is on the rise. EU countries are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goal of halving per capita food waste at retail and consumer level by 2030.