Packaging - A tool for controlling food waste

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Chakravarthi AVPS

World Packaging Organization, India

: J Food Nutr Disor

Abstract

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Securing global food supply chain is the biggest challenge, the world is facing today! As per the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), more than 30% of the food produced for human consumption is either wasted or gets lost. And that amounts to whopping 1.3billion tons. As per its estimate it’s interesting to note ‘we can feed 870 million hungry people, even if we could save a quarter of food that gets wasted. Packaging is an under-utilized solution that can significantly reduce food waste. Packaging is never a source of waste, but it provides means of preventing food waste and public perception must change towards this. Improved collaboration between industry and government with regards to waste policies is the need of the hour. The main reactions that cause food to deteriorate are oxidation, moisture gain/loss, enzymatic browning, non-enzymatic browning, and microbial growth. There may be some more, but these are the key ones. Responsive and smart packaging are being put into use to address these areas. Packaging alone cannot fix the dire global issue of food waste. Packaging can, however, make a Very big difference to how much more food makes it to those in need, rather than being wasted along the supply chain. The ability to minimise food waste has enormous implications from a financial, environmental and a social perspective that could lead to significant benefits. Packaging actually contributes to Sustainability. This is well documented in several position papers issued by the WPO (World Packaging Organisation). In fact if we notice during the decade or a little more, packaging industry is actually reinventing itself as a whole. There have been remarkable improvements in material, processes and in energy efficiency influencing the total environmental footprint. A lot of emphasis has been put on the packaging waste issue. In the developed countries a determined direction has been set to circular economy in which waste becomes new raw material. Littering issue remains a societal challenge in many areas in the world. Good packaging contributes in providing safe and hygienic food around the world. Safe packaging is new kid on the block. There is pressing need to avoid potential risk of chemical contamination to the products packed by virtue of the packaging material. Total product safety to be achieved by virtue of cooperative and collaborative efforts from all stake holders.

Biography

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Chakravarthi AVPS is a self-starter who invariably understands exactly what a project is all about from the outset, and how to get it done quickly and effectively. I have learnt a lot from him. Highly charismatic and has an extra-ordinary quality to care his people and business. More importantly, he thinks critically, reasons well and has all the instincts of true professionals. Chakravarthi is a great business developer who watches the balance sheet like a hawk without ever losing sight of the strategic objective. He's also the driver and motivator of Ecobliss India Pvt and a real teambuilder. As Managing Director of Ecobliss, Mr. Chakravarthi has received many India Star award in Excellence in Packaging and his work has been a major factor in our company's continued success in the section of Indian Blister Packaging through understanding the consistently customer need and company’s profit.

E-mail: chakravarthi.avps@gmail.com