EU food waste reduction targets: EFFPA urges food manufacturers, retailers to think feed

More than half of the food waste (53%) in the EU is generated by households, followed by the processing and manufacturing sector (20%).

The EU executive is aiming to reduce food waste generation in processing and manufacturing, by 10%, and by 30% (per capita), jointly at retail and consumption points, namely restaurants, food service outlets and households. 

And feed can be one of the solutions, says the European Former Foodstuff Processor's Association (EFFPA) when reacting to the new goals​​; it stressed how the targets represent an opportunity for the food value chain to engage with the former foodstuffs processing sector.

‘Key lever in driving a sustainable food system’​

“The adoption of the food waste reduction targets by the EU Commission supports the key role that animal feed and, in particular, former foodstuff processing plays in the valorization of food no longer destined for human consumption.

“EFFPA is resolute in demonstrating to policy makers and chain partners that, together, we possess a means to further prevent/reduce food wastage, while we also hold a key solution for compound feed manufacturing with lower GHG emissions and water consumption together with an important reduction of land use for livestock production.

“Former foodstuff processing should be recognized as a key lever in driving a sustainable food system,” argues Valentina Massa, EFFPA president.

The organization is looking to strengthen cooperation with authorities, food business operators, as well as retailers to reduce avoidable food losses in the chain through animal feed and is a member of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Wast, co-chairing its action and implementation​​ subgroup.

Need to engage retailers, distributors ​

About five million tons of former foodstuffs annually are processed into animal feed in Europe: “The potential for a significant increase of volumes is still possible,” estimates EFFPA.

The industry's turnover reached over €1bn in 2020, reported the organization.

The sector generates feed for farm animals from unavoidable and unintended food losses occurring at food manufacturing and retail level. Typical examples are bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits, and confectionery, high energy ingredients for animal feed. It can also take packaged goods from retailers and distribution networks that no longer complied with shelf-life requirements or were in seasonal wrapping.

“Using these ingredients can partially replace cereal grains, oils, and sugars in livestock rations: it is actual nutritional efficiency. For years, we have contributed to a more sustainable food chain, producing less waste, and enhancing circular ingredients in feed.

“Working with the food distribution and retail sectors to improve their know-how will help towards our goal of reducing food wastage. This still needs development,” said Massa in July ​​last year.