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1 Oct 2010
Unit:
LEI
 On Tuesday, 21 September 2010, the second workshop on food wastage was held with representatives of the food industry. Participants discussed which legislation generates most food wastage. The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture aims at a reduction of 20% of food wastage in the Netherlands by 2015, and to have the most sustainable food system in the world by 2025. Work groups were formed for the animal and vegetable market chain, the food wastage industry and for participants from the retail and out-of home sector.
Legislation on hygiene regulations, such as a 'best before' date on product labels, received a lot of interest from the particpants. Participants also advocated the reuse of animal byproducts for improved protein exploitation. Legislation causes these byproducts to be destroyed while TSE and BSE risks are well identified and controlled.
The food industry urged the Ministry of Agriculture, also present, to take a more systemic approach to change the legislative system from means-driven to goal-driven. They feel the Dutch industry is transparent and well advanced in quality systems to assess risks on food safety. To continue the dialogue, the Ministry of Agriculture has asked Wageningen University to planning a 3rd workshop to take place early 2011. Suggestions were made on communication with the Ministries and with Wageningen University that allows the food industry to actively participate in the definition of public goals and policy strategies on diminishing food wastage.
Project leader is researcher Yuca Waarts from LEI, part of Wageningen UR.
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