Efforts against food loss and what we can do now

“Food loss” has become a global social problem.
In order to realize a rich and good life, we have summarized the product planning that Maedaya Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as our company) is doing and our efforts that we can do from today.

You can reduce food loss with just a small daily effort.
Let's work together to eliminate "mottainai" in our lives and create a richer life, society, and future.

table of contents

• What is the food loss problem?

• what we can do

• What the Maeda family can do

What is the food loss problem?

Food loss has become a global social problem in modern times (especially in developed countries). As the name suggests, it refers to food* that is discarded without being eaten.
*This includes not only leftover food and other food discarded in ordinary households, but also food that is discarded during the production process.

According to the July 2021 report "Driven to Waste" by WWF and Tesco (UK retail giant), of all food grown and produced globally, It is reported that 2.5 billion tons of food, or about 40 percent, is wasted annually.

Quote: Driven to Waste
https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/food_practice/food_loss_and_waste/driven_to_waste_global_food_loss_on_farms/

Why is the food loss problem important?

A huge amount of land, water and energy is used to produce food. Wasted food therefore contributes significantly to climate change. Previous estimates suggest that food waste accounts for 8% of greenhouse gases (GHG).

Quote: Driven to Waste
https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/food_practice/food_loss_and_waste/driven_to_waste_global_food_loss_on_farms/

[By food] What kind of things are thrown away?

Vegetables are the most common ingredient. The order is said to be as follows.

1) vegetables
2) Cooked products
3) Fruits
4) Seafood
5) Other

In Japan, approximately 27.59 million tons of food waste is generated annually, of which 6.43 million tons are discarded despite being edible.

Quote: Ministry of the Environment website: Regarding the publication of the estimated amount of food waste and food loss in Japan (FY 2016)
https://www.env.go.jp/press/106665.html

what we can do

Let's gradually eliminate "mottainai" in our lives through the following initiatives.

when shopping

• Check the refrigerator and stock shelves before shopping to avoid buying unnecessary items.
• Make a note of what you buy when shopping so you don't buy unnecessary things
• Be aware of the amount you can eat when purchasing
• Use items that are individually wrapped or sold individually so that you can use only the amount you need.

when cooking

• Consider the number of people and make enough to eat
• Use edible parts as much as possible to reduce waste
• When you have leftover ingredients, try to find ways to make them more delicious by referring to recipe sites, etc.
• If you live alone, meat, fish, and vegetables tend to be left over.

when you eat

• Prepare the table as much as you can eat
• If there is even a small amount left over, wrap it in plastic wrap and save it for lunch or breakfast the next day.
• When eating out, order only what you can eat. If you can't eat it all, try to see if you can take it home.

What the Maeda family can do

As food professionals, we deal with delicious, safe and secure products, and at the same time, we consider food loss in various ways.

for example

• Develop products from parts that would otherwise be discarded, and actively handle products that can be consumed in a safe manner.
• Discounted sales of expired products
• Distribute to local facilities and stakeholders

However, food loss in Japan is still a social issue. Globally, many people die from hunger. First of all, why don't you take a look at the food loss countermeasures from the trivial things we can do?

Crispy fried shrimp (product link)