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Let’s start by looking at waste along the supply chain itself. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) report Food wastage footprint
“Agricultural production is responsible for 33% of total food wastage volumes. Upstream wastage volumes, including production, post-harvest handling, and storage, represent 54% of total wastage, while downstream wastage volumes, including processing, distribution and consumption, is 46%.”
There is a new solution that can act at many of the critical stages along the supply chain to save tons of food from being wasted. Polish food-tech company Fresh Inset has been successfully developing Vidre+™ — a cutting-edge technology that can tackle the food waste problem.
photo: Vidre+™ stickers
Another solution is to educate and support the change within consumers. In the US on average, food is less expensive, which sometimes results in less care in purchasing some food items. As Recycle Track Systems guide Food Waste in America in 2024 states
“Americans are often impulsive in their food purchases, unrealistically assessing how much food is required, and as a result buying more food than they need or buying food they won’t actually eat.”
A separate problem is misunderstanding expiration labels. It accounts for 8 percent of consumer food waste in the U.S., costing around $30 billion a year. Hopefully, this issue will be soon resolved by the Food Date Labeling Act.
The UN’s latest Food Waste Index Report, compiled in collaboration with the charity WRAP, reveals that over $1 trillion worth of food waste is generated per year around the world. Every effective solution is invaluable and the best is to begin where the food waste starts.
When storing food the best way to prevent food waste is to use Vidre+™
Vidre+™ is transforming the battle against food waste with its innovative sticker inside the packaging that shields produce from ethylene, the gas that hastens ripening and spoilage. This marks a significant advancement in preserving freshness, nutritional value, and quality without leaving any residue. Employing the well-established 1-MCP technology in a new, user-friendly format, Vidre+™ sets a new standard for extending the life of produce efficiently and safely.
"Vidre+™ technology was designed to address the critical issue of spoilage in fresh produce. Capable of being applied across various fruits and vegetable crops, Vidre+™ can be a solution that can tackle food waste across the four most critical stages of the value chain. Our solution is not just addressing food waste, it is also paving the way for a more sustainable future for our global community.” - says Krzysztof Czaplicki, Co-founder and COO of Fresh Inset.
photo: Krzysztof Czaplicki, Co-founder and COO of Fresh Inset.
Vidre+™ is already operational in Argentina and is in the process of getting approved by regulatory and food safety bodies in major food-producing regions, including the Americas, Europe, MENA and Africa. Studies conducted across five continents have demonstrated its effectiveness on a wide range of crops.
What happens with the unsold food from the supermarkets? The debate on how to proceed with it is at different stages around the world. In France it is mandatory to donate unsold food, in the US, confusion with date labels led at least 20 States restricting the donation of food after its labeled date. Yet, other, user-friendly solutions offer a win-win scenario to consumers and restaurant or shop owners.
With apps such as Foodsi (Polish startup) or more globally working, Danish company Too Good To Go, consumers can buy and rescue unsold food from their favorite spots at a lower cost (even up to 70%).
photo: Tomatoes treated with Vidre+™ and untreated product after 22 days.
As executive director of ReFED — Dana Gunders states in the Q&A for Wase360,
“The Food Date Labeling Act was reintroduced in Congress and has progressed into committee. This is the third time this act has been introduced. Our hope is that date labeling legislation will be included as a provision of the 2024 Farm Bill later this year.”
Meanwhile, the internet is full of articles and videos on how to prevent food loss by reading date labels correctly, such as a video from TedEd Food expiration dates don’t mean what you think - Carolyn Beans
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Thank you for reading this article.
If you are interested in expanding your knowledge about Vidre+™ technology, follow us on LinkedIn or get in touch: krzysztof.czaplicki@freshinset.com.
