Measurement of food waste

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The European Union (EU) Waste Framework Directive established a common definition of food waste and requires Member States to monitor and assess the implementation of measures to prevent food waste.

The European Union (EU) Waste Framework Directive established a common definition of food waste and requires Member States to monitor and assess the implementation of measures to prevent food waste. For this purpose, an implementing decision established a methodology and minimum quality requirements for the harmonised measurement of food waste in the sectors of primary production, food processing, wholesale and retail, out-of-home food services, and private households.

The first of these national reports is due by June 2022 for the reference year 2020, with all food waste to be reported, including unavoidable food waste.