Singapore’s Food Wastage Problem (By Genevieve Ong)

Did you know that Singapore generated 665 000 tonnes of food waste in 2020, the equivalent of about 46,000 double-decker buses? In Singapore, a country that imports nearly 90% of all agricultural food products, it is alarming that food waste makes up one of the biggest waste streams of the country.

Food waste refers to the decrease in the quantity or quality of food, resulting from decisions and actions by retailers, food service providers and consumers. When food is thrown away at restaurants, supermarkets or households, this is considered food waste. On the other hand, food loss takes place at the production, postharvest, processing and distribution stages. Cosmetic Filtering is a process that commonly occurs in farms and supermarkets, where food that looks damaged is discarded. Vegetables must be “free of pest marks, be in the right shade of colour and not look too ripe” , says stall owner, Albert Li. According to the Food Waste Republic, food suppliers for supermarkets are expected to clear their goods at least one week before their stated expiry dates. These goods are usually brought back to their warehouse to be resold, and the leftovers are dumped.

So, why should one care about food wastage?

According to Channel News Asia (CNA), there is a correlation between food wastage and climate change. When people usually think about ways to slow down climate change and save the environment, the impact of food wastage does not appear to be the first thing that comes to mind. However, food waste makes up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions in the whole entire world.

Living in Singapore, a country that imports nearly 90% of food products such as rice, vegetables, meat, dairy products that are part of our staple diet, we need to make a conscious effort to recognise that we have a major food wastage problem. If a natural disaster were to occur in a country that Singapore relies heavily on for her food supply, consumers will face price hikes. One should note that when food is wasted, the resources used to grow and deliver it to our tables are wasted. This directly affects Singapore’s food security as more resources have to be diverted to sourcing more food to meet the food demand of the country. Besides that, an increase in food wastage would increase our carbon footprint, contributing to global warming and climate change.

Individually, we can help reduce the amount of food waste in Singapore by reducing the amount of avoidable food waste produced in our households. Avoidable food waste refers to food items that could have been consumed if better managed. This includes leftovers from meals, expired food, stale food, uglyfoods such as blemished fruits and vegetables. We can prevent and reduce avoidable food waste by adopting food waste reduction actions. This can mean cooking only what is needed and having efficient food storage and preparation techniques. Furthermore, we can support local businesses such as Ugly Food that are taking steps to reduce Singapore’s food wastage problem. These businesses help to rescue food that would otherwise be thrown away during the “cosmetic filtering” process as they contain blemishes, spots or dents that consumers deem imperfect.

Food wastage is a complex issue to tackle. However, our individual actions and decisions to reduce food waste may inspire others to adopt a similar lifestyle. Together, our efforts will have a significant impact on Singapore’s food security and environment.

Bibliography:

Maderson, Siobhan. “Commentary: Why Food Shouldn’t Be Left to Pile up in Fridges and Go to Waste.” CNA, https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/food-waste-food-bank-lifestyle-reduce-waste-2322466

“Food Waste.” Towards Zero Waste Singapore, https://www.towardszerowaste.gov.sg/foodwaste/

Marchant, Natalie. “The World’s Food Waste Problem Is Bigger than Expected — Here’s What We Can Do about It.” World Economic Forum, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/03/global-food-waste-solutions/

Singapore Food Agency. “Singapore’s Food Supply .” Singapore Food Agency, Singapore Government, 30 June 2020, https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-farming/singapore-food-supply/the-food-we-eat

“Food Wastage in Singapore | Save Food Cut Waste.” Save Food Cut Waste | Reduce Food Waste in

Singapore | Tips, Recipes, News, 21 Oct. 2012, www.savefoodcutwaste.com/food-waste/food-wastage-in-singapore/.

“The Problem of Food Waste.” FoodPrint, FoodPrint, 15 Mar. 2022,

foodprint.org/issues/the-problem-of-food-waste/#:~:text=Most%20waste%20at%20manufacturing%20and,manufacturing%20goes%20to%20animal%20feed.