Experts at a seminar on Sunday said that food wastage has intensified food insecurity and social inequalities, creating a significant divide between those who can afford to waste food and those who struggle with hunger.

They said that the disparity became particularly evident during periods of rising inflation, as escalating prices strained the budgets of low-income households, widening the gap between affluent consumers who discarded perfectly edible food and marginalized communities struggling to secure basic nutrition.

Speakers noted that addressing this crisis required a concerted effort to raise awareness about the implications of food waste amid inflation.

They highlighted that encouraging affluent consumers to adopt more responsible consumption habits—such as better meal planning and food donation—could help mitigate the effects of rising prices on those experiencing food insecurity.

Policymakers also needed to prioritise initiatives that connected surplus food to those in need, ensuring that nutritious food did not go to waste while vulnerable populations struggled to make ends meet, experts mentioned.

They said that the rising food prices highlighted a profound moral and social dilemma at the intersection of food waste and inflation, making the responsibility to minimise waste even more critical.

During the seminar titled ‘Sustainable Consumption: Reducing Food Waste and Loss for a Greener Bangladesh’ organized by Consumers Association of Bangladesh held at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the city, speakers said that approximately 12-32 per cent of food was being lost annually at various stages of the supply chain in Bangladesh.

Food loss occurred primarily during production, post-harvest handling, storage, processing, transportation, and marketing, while food waste typically happens at the retail and consumer levels, experts and market monitors said.

Economics professor at International University of Business Agriculture and Technology Golam Rasul presented a research paper identifying that daily household food waste in urban areas varies by city, with 0.56 kg per capita in Dhaka, 0.48 kg in Chittagong, and 0.44 kg in Rajshahi.

At the consumption level, food waste is especially common in urban areas, restaurants, and social gatherings such as weddings and festivals, the paper read.

In his presentation, Golam Rasul said that food waste aggravated poverty and hunger, as wasted food that could feed millions contributes to malnutrition, while the associated health risks lead to the spread of diseases and pests, increasing public health burdens.

He mentioned that approximately 4 crore people in Bangladesh have been facing food insecurity, with one crore experiencing severe food insecurity.

While 36 per cent of children and 33 per cent of mothers in Bangladesh are malnourished, a significant quantity of food is wasted at various stages, from production to consumption, Golam Rasul said.

He said that the environmental impact of food waste was significant, with urban areas in Bangladesh generating around 4 million tonnes of food waste annually, which results in approximately 10 million tons of CO2 and 3 million tons of methane emissions.

The research paper showed that approximately 10-15 per cent of rice was lost with each harvest due to improper drying and milling techniques, while losses for fruits and vegetables could reach around 20-40 per cent.

Fish and meat experienced significant losses primarily due to inadequate cold storage and preservation methods.

Economically, food waste results in substantial losses, as the resources wasted—land, labour, water, and energy—translate into economic setbacks for all participants in the food supply chain, the research said.

Golam Rasul emphasised the need for collaboration among various stakeholders to address food waste, noting that consumers could minimise waste by planning meals, purchasing only what was necessary, and properly storing food.

He suggested that farmers should implement improved post-harvest practices to reduce losses during transportation, while retailers could enhance stock management, offer discounts on near-expiry products, and donate excess food.

Community awareness and initiatives are crucial in combating food waste, as engaging schools and youth organisations can foster sustainable consumption from a young age, the experts mentioned.

Golam Rasul said that by fostering a culture of sharing and collective responsibility for food resources, Bangladesh could work towards reducing food waste and promoting sustainable consumption.

‘Government support is essential for promoting food waste reduction through policies and investments in infrastructure, such as cold storage,’ he added.

CAB vice-president SM Nazer Hossain said that despite Bangladesh’s substantial food production, a balanced diet and safe food were not being ensured for the consumers.

He also said that it was unjust for some people to waste food while others were struggling to secure it, and that this practice needed to be stopped.

Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection director Fakir Muhammad Munawar Hossain said that reducing food waste and promoting responsible consumption were essential to achieving the goals of zero hunger and zero poverty outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Bangladesh Safe Food Authority chairman Zakaria, Bangladesh country lead of Global Health Advocacy Incubator Muhammad Ruhul Kuddus, acting president of CAB Jamil Chowdhury and CAB treasure Monjur-E-Khoda Tarafder, among others, spoke at the event.