Focus: Wastage of food

As per the UN's Food and Agriculture Agency report, the world has 825 million undernourished people. However, it also says that the world as a whole is getting wealthier and producing more than enough food. Unavailability of food, poor resources and insufficient access are the main reasons for growing world hunger.

We present a debate that attempts to work out how food wastage can be curbed so it reaches people who need it.

People waste more food during Ramadan

I strongly feel that people waste a lot of food during the month of Ramadan. There are many reasons, which contribute to it, mainly being the lifestyle of people here. People have to make as many varieties of food as possible, but when they cannot eat it, they have to throw it away. This can be usually seen at most of the Iftar buffets and this is
irrespective of nationalities.
Obaid Sayed
Sharjah

Yes. In Ramadan people want to give more, so they hold banquets and invite friends over for Iftar. Sometimes not everybody shows up and in the end the food is thrown into the bin. We might think of countries where there is famine and hunger, but most of the time we talk and do nothing.
Aftab Anjum
Dubai

I do not believe that people waste more food during Ramadan. They might be unable to consume the usual portion after fasting. Anyone who is exposed to the fact that millions around the world are malnourished or starving due to some reason, through newspapers or television will have an understanding about the proper usage of food. Organisations should create awareness and target the younger generation.
Anata Krishna
UAE

Wastage of food is related to individual mindset. For me, people waste food because they are not aware of the reality of those suffering other parts of the world, whose survival only depends on humanitarian aid. There are millions of children starving to death not because they are different from others, but because they live in a continent where their fate is to die from hunger and be exposed to diseases and epidemics.
Anabelle Gonzales
UAE

The wastage of food is related to cultural habits

I think the blame lies with our junk food mentality. We live in a throw away society and the media isn't exactly a good role model either. I've seen countless television programmes where someone will get up and walk away from a plate of food half eaten. Poor planning and a busy lifestyle also leads to a great deal of wastage. How many of us admit to having made an impulse buy, and then several days later having to throw it out anyway?
Bharath R.
Pieteraritzburg, South Africa

A lot of food is wasted during Ramadan, but I don't think this has any cultural reasons. I believe people think they are so hungry that they can eat all that they've cooked. It's not culture. It's hunger. People have forgotten what Ramadan is all about. Instead of praying more and eating less, they do the opposite.
Aysha K.S
Dubai

People tend to waste a lot of food - it is immaterial whether it is Ramadan or not. This is also not linked to cultural habits either. It is directly linked to the attitude of people. We need to change that. Not only private companies, but also every individual has a responsibility to eliminate wastage of food.
G.K. Venkatesh
Sharjah

Yes it has to do with the culture. When you invite people for food, the portions you are supposed to serve should be more than what is right. You need to be hospitable. So the rest of the food ends in the bin.
Sa'ad Khalid Mahmoud
Ras Al Khaimah

If a nationwide food recovery programme is implemented it will eliminate wastage of food

Yes, we should have programmes to educate people and the young generation on how they can cut down on wasting food and teach them the value of food. People are so spoilt they are not used to keeping leftover food in the refrigerator and eating the same food until that is finished. There are no stray cats and dogs in the UAE to whom we can give leftover food.
Neluka Wijesinghe
Dubai

Yes, definitely. Actually I was reading a newspaper article the other day about a similar project in the UAE, where the food wasted from restaurants is gathered and given to the poor and workers. The amount of food they gather can really make great meals. I would absolutely support such a programme.
Zainab Hardwarewala
Dubai

Yes, that's a good idea. Food wastage is very visible, especially by restaurants and hotels. I work in a hotel and if a party of 100 people is expected to attend and only 70 people show up, the food is usually thrown away. This programme would provide a way to give what's left to the poor.
Veronica Pimeda
Dubai

I think it's a good and a bad idea at the same time. Good because it would provide food for those who cannot eat, but also bad because people will then not stop wasting food because there will always be an outlet.
Ginalyn Mabaga
Dubai

All private sector companies have a social responsibility to develop a community financial fund to fight hunger

Yes. Through this fund they can collect a lot of money, which they can use to buy food and help those in need. That would be a great idea, especially that we are in Ramadan now and there are people who need the food.
Yousuf Sarkhosh
Dubai

I think it is the responsibility of both the private and public sector to start such a fund and help others. Even in Islam, providing help and giving away money is one way to purify the self.
Tamim Attar
Dubai

Any company has a social responsibility towards the people. It is an obligation to address certain problems and try to help. It is true that the main goal for these companies is to provide profit, but it is also their duty to help those working for them and the people around them.
Nadeem Khan
Dubai

I believe it is more the responsibility of the government rather than the private sector. If we are starting a fund to fight hunger, help the poor, workers, the government can impose a minor Dh1 tax for the fund. You can imagine how much this fund can generate to fight hunger.
Ahmad Hasan
Dubai