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Cited by 1,711Food Waste Reduction and SustainabilityAgriculture Sustainability and Environmental ImpactWaste Management and Recycling

The food waste hierarchy as a framework for the management of food surplus and food waste

Open access
Papargyropoulou, Effie, Lozano, Rodrigo, K. Steinberger, Julia, Wright, Nigel, Ujang, Zaini bin·2014·Journal of Cleaner Production
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.04.020
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AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The paper proposes a food waste hierarchy that applies waste-hierarchy principles to food surplus and food waste, prioritizing prevention, then redistribution of surplus to people affected by food poverty, then animal feed, composting, energy recovery, and landfill. Drawing on interviews with UK food waste specialists, it argues that distinguishing food surplus from food waste and avoidable from unavoidable waste is essential for sustainable management across the food supply chain.

Key findings

  • The proposed food waste hierarchy prioritizes prevention/minimization of food surplus and avoidable food waste as the most favourable option; the second most favourable is distribution of food surplus to groups affected by food poverty, followed by converting food waste to animal feed, composting, energy recovery, and landfill as the least favourable option.
  • Food waste has major impacts: the food sector is thought to cause 22% of the global warming potential in the EU; global food wastage in 2007 was estimated at USD 750 billion; and one third of edible food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, amounting to 1.3 billion tons per year.
  • Food losses and waste vary by region: Europe and North America average 280–300 kg per capita per year, while Sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia average 120–170 kg per capita per year; in developed countries, consumption-stage food waste accounts for over 40% of total food losses and waste in the food supply chain.
  • In the UK, household food waste generation was reduced by approximately 13% between 2006/07 and 2009/10, and England’s household waste recycling rate rose from 10% in 2000/01 to 40% in 2010/11; avoidable food waste led to 17 million tons of CO2 eq. in 2010, and preventing food waste could deliver a 456 million ton GHG emission reduction by 2050 in the UK.

Methods

  • Seven group interviews were conducted with 23 food waste specialists from Defra, WRAP, Fareshare, Brook Lyndhurst, the Sustainable Restaurant Association, Harper Adams University College, and SKM Enviros; interviews were semi-structured and in-depth.
  • Data were analyzed through grounded theory, revealing three key themes: the distinction between food surplus and food waste, between avoidable and unavoidable waste, and between waste prevention and waste management; these informed the proposed food surplus and waste framework.
  • UK organizations were selected because of the UK’s strong commitment and focus on addressing food waste and recent evidence of food waste prevention.

Limitations

  • The paper states that the proposed options and their prioritization were derived primarily from environmental and social aspects when comparing options like for like; a cost-benefit analysis of the options is outside the study’s scope, and the framework is intended as a guide rather than a “one solution fits all” approach.
  • The paper states that it draws on expertise and experiences from Europe, particularly the UK, and that contributions from other parts of the world would complement the study and increase its generalizability.
  • Evident from the text: the findings rely on qualitative interviews with seven UK stakeholder organizations, and the paper reports no quantitative validation or real-life scenario testing of the proposed hierarchy.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.04.020

Cites

65 of 65 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 56 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Interpretationreasoning
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    For smallholders living on the margins of food insecurity, a reduction in food losses could have an immediate and significant impact on their livelihoods.

    “For the smallholders living on the margins of food insecurity, a reduction in food losses could have an immediate and significant impact on their livelihoods.”
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  • Interpretationreasoning
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 14

    Food's materiality and temporality become central to the interpretation and application of the waste hierarchy within the context of food waste.

    “As a consequence, food's materiality and temporality becomes central to the interpretation and application of the waste hierarchy within the context of food waste.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 9

    Food losses or spoilage take place at production, postharvest and processing stages in the food supply chain.

    “Food losses or spoilage take place at production, postharvest and processing stages in the FSC (Gustavsson et al., 2011; Grolleaud, 2002).”
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  • Interpretationreasoning
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 14

    Food's material nature, i.e. that it decomposes with time and becomes inedible and eventually waste, makes the time dimension crucial to the transition of food into food waste.

    “In addition, time is an important consideration in the discussion about food waste due to food's material nature i.e. it decomposes with time thus becomes inedible and eventually waste. Unlike other waste materials such as glass, metals, paper, plastic etc., food's properties change within a relatively short amount of time. For this reason, the time dimension is crucial to the transition of food”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Interpretationreasoning
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    One of the main environmental impacts of food waste is related to its final disposal in landfills.

    “One of the main environmental impacts of food waste is related to its final disposal in landfills.”
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    Findingreasoning
    § 5.1 Food surplus, food security and waste · p. 20

    The current scale of global food surplus is threatening, not safeguarding, global food security.

    “However, as interviewees from WRAP highlight, the current scale of global food surplus is in fact threatening, not safeguarding, global food security.”
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    Findingown data
    § 5.1 Food surplus, food security and waste · p. 20

    The distinction between the terms 'food surplus' and 'food waste' is essential to a more sustainable approach to addressing food waste.

    “During the interviews it became apparent that the distinction between the terms 'food surplus' and 'food waste' is essential to a more sustainable approach to addressing food waste.”
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    Findingnone given
    § 5.1 Food surplus, food security and waste · p. 20

    The number of people affected by food poverty is increasing even within the most affluent countries in the world, especially during the current economic recession.

    “The number of people affected by food poverty is increasing even within the most affluent countries in the world, especially during the current economic recession.”
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    Findingnone given
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 22

    Waste prevention is a lot more challenging to achieve than waste management.

    “Defra's policy on food waste makes the distinction between waste prevention and management clear, although, as the interviewees from Book Lyndhurst add, waste prevention is a lot more challenging to achieve.”
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    Findingcitation
    § 5.1 Food surplus, food security and waste · p. 20

    Inequalities in access to the global food supply chain exist not only between affluent and poorer countries, but also within individual countries.

    “According to Fareshare, inequalities in access to the global FSC exist not only between affluent and poorer countries, but also within individual countries.”
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    Findingcitation
    § 5.2 Avoidable and unavoidable food waste · p. 21

    The distinction between avoidable and unavoidable food waste reveals how unnecessary food waste is and emphasizes the substantial potential for food waste prevention.

    “Brook Lyndhurst, Defra and WRAP interviewees stress the significance of the distinction between avoidable and unavoidable food waste, as it reveals how unnecessary food waste is and emphasizes the substantial potential for food waste prevention.”
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    Findingown data
    § 4.2 Data analysis · p. 19

    The qualitative data analysis revealed three key themes: the distinction between food surplus and food waste, between avoidable and unavoidable waste, and between waste prevention and waste management.

    “This process revealed three key themes, namely the distinction between food surplus and food waste, between avoidable and unavoidable waste, and finally between waste prevention and waste management.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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    Findingcitation
    § 5.2 Avoidable and unavoidable food waste · p. 21

    The distinction between avoidable and unavoidable food waste provides insight into the degree to which food waste prevention is feasible and is pivotal in the formulation of strategies for food waste minimization.

    “An important distinction in the process of developing a sustainable framework for addressing food waste is the one between 'avoidable' and 'unavoidable' food waste. This distinction provides insight into the degree to which food waste prevention is feasible or not, thus it is pivotal in the formulation of strategies for food waste minimization, as Brook Lyndhurst and Defra suggest.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 10

    Postharvest losses are estimated at 2,600 kcal per capita per day, including animal feed and waste in distribution and households.

    “'From field to fork', postharvest losses are estimated at 2,600kcal per capita per day, which includes animal feed and waste in distribution and households.”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    The waste sector accounts for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with the same figure applicable for the UK.

    “It is estimated that the waste sector accounts for approximately 3% of global GHG emissions, with the same figure applicable for the UK (Defra, 2011; UNEP, 2010; Stern, 2006).”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    Food waste accounts for almost half of all CO2 emissions associated with waste in the UK.

    “Defra identifies food waste as a priority waste stream for action as it accounts for almost half of all CO2 emissions associated with waste in the UK (Defra, 2011).”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 13

    Avoidable food waste led to 17 million tons of CO2 eq. in 2010 in the UK, equivalent to the emissions of 1 in 5 cars on UK roads.

    “WRAP estimates that avoidable food waste led to 17 million tons of CO2 eq. in 2010, equivalent to the emissions of 1 in 5 cars on UK roads (WRAP, 2011).”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 13

    Within the European Union, food, housing and transportation are the three sectors responsible for approximately 70% of overall environmental impact of human consumption and production.

    “Within the European Union (EU), food, housing and transportation are the three sectors responsible for approximately 70% of overall environmental impact of human consumption and production (Tukker et al., 2010).”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 13

    Preventing food waste has the potential of a 456 million tons GHG emission reduction by year 2050 in the UK.

    “They calculate that preventing food waste has the potential of a 456 million tons GHG emission reduction by year 2050 in the UK.”
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    • cites Barrett and Scott (2012)

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    Premisecitation
    § 2.2 Economic, environmental, and social implications of food waste · p. 11

    The food and drink wasted in UK homes that could have been eaten has a retail value of approximately £12 billion.

    “Quested et al. (2011) suggest that the food and drink wasted in UK homes that could have been eaten has a retail value of approximately £12 billion.”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 13

    The reduction of food losses and waste throughout the food supply chain, as well as alternative diets, are considered as a first step towards achieving food security.

    “As the issue of global food security is becoming increasingly important in local and global agendas, the reduction of food losses and waste throughout the FSC, as well as alternative diets, are considered as a first step towards achieving food security (Haberl et al., 2011; Schönhart et al., 2009; Engström & Carlsson-Kanyama, 2004).”
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    Interpretationreasoning
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    Making profitable investments in reducing losses could be one way of reducing the cost of food.

    “Considering the magnitude of food losses in the FSC, making profitable investments in reducing losses could be one way of reducing the cost of food.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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    Premisecitation
    § 3.1 The waste hierarchy · p. 15

    In the waste hierarchy, the most favorable option is prevention and the least favorable option is disposal.

    “As illustrated in Figure 3, the most favorable option is 'prevention', and at the bottom of the inverted pyramid, the least favorable option is 'disposal'.”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 10

    North America and Europe discard 30 to 50% of their food supplies, enough to feed the world's hungry three times over.

    “Stuart (2009) estimates that North America and Europe discard 30 to 50 % of their food supplies, enough to feed the world's hungry three times over.”
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    Interpretationreasoning
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    Improving the efficiency of the food supply chain has the potential to bring down the cost of food to the consumer and thus increase access.

    “Improving the efficiency of the FSC has the potential to bring down the cost of food to the consumer and thus increase access.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Food insecurity is often more a question of access (related to purchasing power and prices of food) than a supply problem.

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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    Avoidable food losses have a direct and negative impact on the income of both farmers and consumers.

    “They suggest that avoidable food losses have a direct and negative impact on the income of both farmers and consumers.”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 13

    Food products rank second in terms of highest production-cycle-wide resource use and environmental impact potential in Germany.

    “Food products rank second in terms of highest production-cycle-wide resource use and environmental impact potential in Germany (Moll & Jose, 2006).”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    Methane and carbon dioxide are greenhouse gases contributing to climate change, with methane being the more potent of the two, trapping 21 times more heat than carbon dioxide.

    “Methane and carbon dioxide are GHGs contributing to climate change, with methane being the more potent of the two, trapping 21 times more heat than carbon dioxide (Adhikari et al., 2006).”
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    Interpretationreasoning
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    Another environmental impact of food waste is linked to the embedded carbon from the previous life cycle stages of food before it became waste.

    “Another environmental impact of food waste is linked to the embedded carbon from the previous life cycle stages of food before it became waste.”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 13

    Agriculture is associated with nearly 22% of all greenhouse gas emissions, with livestock production accounting for approximately 18% of total greenhouse gas emissions.

    “Agriculture is associated with nearly 22% of all GHG emissions, with livestock production accounting for approximately 18% of total GHG emissions (Lundqvist et al., 2008; McMichael et al., 2007; Steinfeld et al., 2006).”
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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 13

    The food sector is the cause of approximately 22% of the global warming potential in the EU.

    “It is estimated that the food sector is the cause of approximately 22% of the global warming potential in the EU (European Commission, 2006).”
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    • cites European Commission, 2006

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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 14

    As the global population is rising, food waste generation is not diminishing and food security is becoming an increasingly urgent issue.

    “As the global population is rising, food waste generation is not diminishing and food security is becoming an increasingly urgent issue (Gustavsson et al., 2011; The Government Office for Science, 2011b; Lundqvist et al., 2008).”
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    • cites Lundqvist et al., 2008

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    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 13

    Other environmental impacts of food waste include natural resources depletion, disruption of the biogenic cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus used in agriculture as fertilizers, and environmental pollution potential throughout the food supply chain, particularly during waste disposal.

    “Other environmental impacts of food waste include natural resources depletion (such as soil nutrients, water and energy), the disruption of the biogenic cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus used in agriculture as fertilizers (Rockström et al., 2009; Smil, 2002), and the environmental pollution potential throughout the FSC but particularly during waste disposal (FAO, 2013; Lundqvist et al., 2008; Lund”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    Food waste costs UK restaurants approximately 2-3% of their turnover.

    “The Sustainable Restaurant Association states that food waste costs UK restaurants approximately 2-3% of their turnover (Sustainable Restaurant Association, 2010).”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 13

    Food waste has social implications that tend to focus around the ethical and moral dimension of wasting food, in particular the inequality between wasteful practices and food poverty.

    “In addition to environmental and economic impacts, food waste also has social implications (Salhofer et al., 2008). These tend to focus around the ethical and moral dimension of wasting food, in particular in relation to the inequality between on the one hand wasteful practices, and on the other food poverty (Evans, 2011c; Stuart, 2009; Wrigley, 2002).”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 11

    The distribution of food losses and waste varies between developed and developing countries, and between rich and poor producers and consumers.

    “The distribution of food losses and waste varies between developed and developing countries, and between rich and poor producers and consumers (Gustavsson et al., 2011; Hodges et al., 2010; Lundqvist et al., 2008).”
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    • cites Lundqvist et al., 2008

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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 14

    UNEP estimates that up to 25% of world food production may become 'lost' during this century as a result of climate change, water scarcity, invasive pests and land degradation.

    “UNEP (2009) estimates that up to 25 % of the world food production may become 'lost' during this century as a result of climate change, water scarcity, invasive pests and land degradation.”
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    § 2.2 Economic, environmental, and social implications of food waste · p. 11

    The economic cost of global food wastage in 2007 was estimated at USD 750 billion.

    “The economic cost of global food wastage in 2007 was estimated at USD 750 billion (FAO, 2013).”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 12

    The costs of food waste are not only linked to reduced purchasing costs, but also to the final waste disposal costs.

    “These costs are not only linked to reduced purchasing costs, but also to the final waste disposal costs (EPA, 2003, 2012).”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 10

    As much as half of all food grown is lost or wasted before and after it reaches the consumer.

    “According to Lundqvist et al. (2008), as much as half of all food grown is lost or wasted before and after it reaches the consumer.”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 9

    Food losses/spoilage relate more to systems that require investment in infrastructure.

    “Food losses/spoilage, conversely, relate more to systems that require investment in infrastructure.”
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    § Highlights · p. 34

    The food waste hierarchy also distinguishes between avoidable and unavoidable waste.

    “The food waste hierarchy also distinguishes between avoidable and unavoidable waste”
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    Interpretationnone given
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 24

    Food waste has economic implications for everyone within the food supply chain, from the farmer to the food producer and the consumer, including food production and purchasing costs, as well as costs associated with the final disposal of food waste.

    “Food waste has economic implications for everyone within the food supply chain, from the farmer to the food producer and the consumer. These include food production and purchasing costs, as well as costs associated with the final disposal of food waste.”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 23

    A shift to more sustainable consumption patterns and practices, and increased awareness of food waste's impact on the environment, have the potential to reduce generation of avoidable food waste.

    “A shift to more sustainable consumption patterns and practices, and increased awareness of food waste's impact on the environment, have the potential to reduce generation of avoidable food waste.”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 18

    The UK food waste household generation was reduced by approximately 13% in the period between 2006/07 and 2009/10.

    “The latest estimates suggest that the UK food waste household generation was reduced by approximately 13 % in the period between 2006/07 and 2009/10 (WRAP, 2011).”
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    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 24

    The GHG emissions from food production and consumption, as well as from its final disposal, depletion of natural resources and pollution are the most prominent environmental impacts associated with food waste.

    “The GHG emissions from food production and consumption, as well as from its final disposal, depletion of natural resources and pollution are the most prominent environmental impacts associated with food waste.”
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    Interpretationnone given
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 24

    In the context of a fast growing world population and diminishing natural resources, the disparity between food poverty and food wastage raises concerns over global food security and highlights the social and moral dimensions of food waste.

    “In the context of a fast growing world population and diminishing natural resources, the disparity between food poverty and food wastage raises concerns over global food security and highlights the social and moral dimensions of food waste.”
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    Study design and conductnone given
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 17

    The organizations were selected to represent different food waste stakeholders, such as government bodies, private companies, non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations.

    “The organizations were selected to represent different food waste stakeholders, such as government bodies, private companies, non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations.”
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    Premisecitation
    § 3.1 The waste hierarchy · p. 15

    The focus of the waste hierarchy on environmental over economic factors has been the basis of criticism from economists urging for the waste hierarchy to be considered as a flexible guideline for formulating waste strategies.

    “The focus of the waste hierarchy on the environmental over economic factors has been the basis of criticism from a number of economist urging for the waste hierarchy to be considered as a flexible guideline for formulating waste strategies (Rasmussen et al., 2005; Porter, 2002; Price & Joseph, 2000).”
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      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 25

    Although prevention requires a fundamental re-think of the current practices and systems in place, it has the potential to deliver substantial environmental, social and economic benefits.

    “Although prevention requires a fundamental re-think of the current practices and systems in place, it has the potential to deliver substantial environmental, social and economic benefits.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Highlights · p. 34

    Food waste has significant environmental, social and economic global implications.

    “Food waste has significant environmental, social and economic global implications”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 25

    The food waste hierarchy takes into account the materiality and temporality of food and encompasses the dimension of time in the discussion.

    “Additionally, the food waste hierarchy takes into account the materiality and temporality of food and encompasses the dimension of time in the discussion.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 5.1 Food surplus, food security and waste · p. 20

    Making the distinction between 'desired' food surplus acting as a safeguard of food security, undesired excessive food surplus and food waste is particularly relevant when considering the options available to combat food waste.

    “Therefore, making the distinction between the 'desired' food surplus acting as a safeguard of food security, the undesired excessive food surplus and food waste, is particularly relevant when considering the options available to combat food waste.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 24

    The distinction between food surplus and food waste, and between avoidable and unavoidable food waste, is crucial in identifying the most appropriate options for addressing the food waste challenge.

    “The distinction between food surplus and food waste on one hand, and avoidable and unavoidable food waste on the other, are crucial in the process of identifying the most appropriate options for addressing the food waste challenge.”
    • Also stated in: § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 23 · plain
      “At that point, the distinction between avoidable and unavoidable food waste becomes central in the decision making process for the most appropriate waste management options.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 25

    Prevention, in the form of food surplus and avoidable food waste reduction, features as the most advantageous option within the food waste hierarchy.

    “Prevention, in the form of food surplus and avoidable food waste reduction, features as the most advantageous option within the food waste hierarchy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation
    § 4.2 Data analysis · p. 19

    Threats to reliability and validity of the research findings, such as subject error and bias, and observer error and bias, were minimized by carefully formulating the research design.

    “Threats to reliability and validity of the research findings, such as subject error and bias, and observer error and bias were minimized by carefully formulating the research design (Saunders et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Saunders et al., 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 18

    England increased the average household waste recycling rate from 10% in the year 2000/01 to 40% in year 2010/11.

    “In addition, England managed to increase the average household waste recycling rate from 10 % in the year 2000/01, to 40 % in year 2010/11 (Defra, 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Defra, 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 5.1 Food surplus, food security and waste · p. 20

    The disparity between food waste and food poverty draws attention to the social and ethical implications of food waste.

    “The disparity between food waste on one hand and food poverty on the other, draws attention to the social and ethical implications of food waste.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT · p. 22

    As the concepts of sustainable resource management, life cycle management and sustainable consumption and production alter the way 'waste' is perceived, the divide between waste prevention and waste management becomes more apparent.

    “As the concepts of sustainable resource management, life cycle management and sustainable consumption and production alter the way 'waste' is perceived, the divide between waste prevention and waste management becomes more apparent.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Highlights · p. 34

    Food waste can be prevented by reducing food surplus throughout the food supply chain.

    “Food waste can be prevented by reducing food surplus throughout the food supply chain”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
55 of 55

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Food insecurity is often more a question of access (related to purchasing power and prices of food) than a supply problem.

    “Food insecurity is often more a question of access (related to purchasing power and prices of food) than a supply problem.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    When food waste is disposed in landfills, methane and carbon dioxide are produced as part of its natural decomposition process.

    “When food waste is disposed in landfills, methane and carbon dioxide are produced as part of its natural decomposition process.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Food safety can be ensured when redistributing surplus food to groups affected by food poverty.

    “For the surplus food that has not been consumed, the option of redistributing it to groups affected by food poverty is proposed; assuming food safety can be ensured.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In developing countries, the majority of food losses occur in the earlier stages of the food supply chain.

    “where the majority of the food losses are observed”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In developed countries, food waste is concentrated at the retail and consumption stages.

    “Food waste prevention in developed countries should focus more on the retail and consumption stages such as the food service sector and consumers.”
5 of 5

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Contamination in a processing line due to improperly cleaned processing units not sanitized from previous processes is a main cause of food loss, especially for animal products.

    “The contamination in a processing line that occurs due to improperly cleaned processing units not sanitized from previous processes is also one of main causes of FL occurrence, especially for animal products [43,66].”

    From Understanding Food Loss and Waste—Why Are We Losing and Wasting Food? (2019) · cites this paper as [66]

    Table 1 (accepted manuscript, pp. 9–10; also p. 32) lists contamination during processing as causing loss of quality. It does not identify improperly cleaned or unsanitized equipment as the cause, describe contamination as a main cause of food loss, or single out animal products. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Edible products are sorted out due to quality, expired before being purchased, or being damaged or spilled in the market.

    “Consequently, edible products are sorted out due to quality, expired before being purchased, or being damaged or spilled in the market [6,43,64,66].”

    From Understanding Food Loss and Waste—Why Are We Losing and Wasting Food? (2019) · cites this paper as [66]

    The table in the Accepted Manuscript (pp. 9–10) lists quality-based out-grading, damaged produce, grain spillage, and poor handling in wet markets as examples of food loss. It does not establish that products expire before purchase; its reference to ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates concerns post-consumer disposal. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Perishing of fresh-cut products is accelerated by poor temperature and packaging management.

    “However, perishing of the fresh-cut products is accelerated by poor temperature and packaging management [66,84].”

    From Understanding Food Loss and Waste—Why Are We Losing and Wasting Food? (2019) · cites this paper as [66]

    The table of food losses (Accepted Manuscript, p. 10) lists inappropriate packaging as damaging produce and lack of cooling or cold storage as causing losses. It does not specifically address fresh-cut products or establish that poor management accelerates their perishing. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Commercial pressure in the marketing stage is a major cause of food waste.

    “Commercial pressure in the marketing stage is also a major cause of food waste [66,85].”

    From Understanding Food Loss and Waste—Why Are We Losing and Wasting Food? (2019) · cites this paper as [66]

    The food-supply-chain table (Accepted Manuscript, p. 10) identifies losses at the marketing stage, including transport spoilage, poor handling and inadequate cooling. It does not identify commercial pressure as a cause or say it is a major cause of food waste. (LLM, conf=0.79)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Padfield, 2012, A preliminary assessment of greenhouse gas emission trends in the production and consumption of food in Malaysia, Int. J. Technol., 3, 56
  2. Saunders, 2009

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Papargyropoulou, E., Lozano, R., K. Steinberger, J., Wright, N., & Ujang, Z. B.
Affiliations
  • University of Technology Malaysia (MY)
  • Utrecht University (NL)
  • University of Leeds (GB)
Corresponding author
Papargyropoulou, Effie
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Cleaner Production
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-08
Volume
76
Pages
106-115
ISSN
0959-6526 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.04.020
OpenAlex
W2152686358
Semantic Scholar
187d963703e704b59ace1dcdd32f2b55fc53cdee
Cited by
1,711
References
65
Citations by year
2026: 202 · 2025: 191 · 2024: 191 · 2023: 170 · 2022: 184 · 2021: 205 · 2020: 162 · 2019: 123 · 2018: 98 · 2017: 70 · 2016: 67 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 1
FWCI
80.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Cleaner Production (publishedVersion)
  • White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion)
  • Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • SERVAL (Université de Lausanne) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the Southeast Asia Prosperity Fund
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Waste Management and Recycling
Keywords
food waste hierarchy, food waste, food surplus, food waste prevention, food waste management, food supply chain, avoidable food waste, food poverty, food redistribution, animal feed, sustainable consumption, sustainable production

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-07.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-07.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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