China announces plan to reduce food waste from production, transportation and storage

China has announced an action plan to reduce food loss and waste.

This comes days after President Xi Jinping made a speech at the G20 summit in Brazil, saying China was joining Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and will remain a dedicated host of the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste.

The proposal, released by the General Office of the Central Committee and State Council of the Communist Party on Monday, said the goal by the end of 2027 is to “keep grain and food loss levels during production, storage, transportation and processing below the international average.” ” .

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China’s grain security is under pressure due to climate change and the international political and economic situation, Han Jingbo, a spokesman for the National Development and Reform Commission, told Shanghai news portal The Paper.

The plan lists key objectives to reduce food loss and waste. It calls for technical standards in grain production and harvesting, innovative equipment and training for agricultural machinery operators. It also encourages higher storage standards and the creation of dedicated transport routes and equipment to reduce grain losses.

The goal of the project is to raise public awareness about saving food, reducing personal and household waste and healthy eating. Restaurants and government canteens will launch anti-waste campaigns that will encourage packaging of leftovers and penalize waste.

The statistical survey system will assess waste from grains, meats, vegetables, fruits, aquatic products and other comprehensive food categories, he said.