Crying shame of food waste

SUPERMARKETS yesterday promised to track the amount of food they throw away in a bid to curb waste.

Millions of tonnes of food are discarded each year because stores stock up on far more fresh produce than is required.

Tesco revealed last October that it threw out 28,500 tonnes of food from its shops and distribution centres in just six months.

Official figures estimate as much as 15 million tonnes of food is wasted each year across the UK.

They found that two-thirds of bagged salad is thrown away — more than a third of it after it has been bought.

The research also found that four out of every 10 apples are discarded, as are nearly half of all bakery items.

Now all the main supermarkets are to join Tesco in tracking the amount of food thrown away.

It is a welcome move but consumers are just as responsible for reducing food waste.

Supermarkets obviously like to keep their shelves stocked — if customers think they may run out of fresh produce they are unlikely to continue shopping there.

But customers have to ask themselves whether they could do more with the fresh produce they purchase, rather than throwing away half eaten salads or loaves of bread.

Ensuring they waste as little food as possible is not only good for the environment as it reduces the amount of packaging used, it is also good for the pocket.

For supermarkets themselves, it seems ridiculous that so much food is being thrown away at a time when people up and down the country are relying on food banks.

Food is as precious a commodity as any other — and one that should not be wasted.