Food loss and waste reduction, measurement and policies
The Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste (TPFLW) seeks to strengthen collective efforts to prevent and reduce food loss and waste across the globe. Launched in December 2015, by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the TPFLW was established following the G20 Ministries of Agriculture recommendation to focus on the measurement and reduction of Food Loss and Waste (FLW).
The Platform contributes to the Food is Never Waste Coalition, which was launched by a group of partners and countries at the United Nations Food Systems Summit in September 2021.
Highlights
EVENT
SAVE THE DATE for the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste - 29 September
Join the 6th Observance of the IDAFLW global virtual event!
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publication
Reducing food loss and waste in dasheen (Colocasia esculenta) leaves
This brief is designed as an easy-to-use, informational, and instructional resource to measurably and sustainably reduce food losses in leafy vegetables.
INTERACTIVE STORY
The Food Loss and Waste Challenge
How much do you know about food loss and waste? Let’s find out! These brainteasers, quizzes, and crosswords will put your knowledge to the test.
Tools and apps
FAO Food Loss App (FLAPP)
The FAO Food Loss App (FLAPP) enables you to get actionable insights and expert advice on food loss from farm to market, all through the power of data and community-driven solutions.
Knowledge sharing
Sixth observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
Download the Get Involved Guide and take action for the people and the planet to secure a sustainable food future for all!
Knowledge sharing
Check the latest TPFLW newsletter
Stay up to date with all the latest news on food loss and waste and join our Community of Practice!
Videos
Investing in food loss and waste prevention and reduction | IDAFLW 2024
29/09/2024
The fifth observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste highlighted the critical need for financing to bolster efforts to...
Stories
Flagship Publications
Achieving SDG 2 without breaching the 1.5 °C threshold: A global roadmap, Part 1
10/12/2023
FAO's roadmap involves an extensive process that spans three years, starting with COP 28 in 2023. It commences with a global vision for what ails agrifood...
Food loss estimation: SDG 12.3.1a data and modelling approach
21/12/2023
This paper presents first the resulting global food loss percentage for 2021, the percentages by SDG regions and food groups, describes available input...
Tracking progress on food and agriculture-related SDG indicators 2023
15/09/2023
The new report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), titled Tracking progress on food and agriculture-related SDG indicators,...
The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2024
08/11/2024
The State of Food and Agriculture 2024 builds on the findings of the 2023 edition, delving deeper into the use of true cost accounting assessments of...
Agrifood solutions to climate change – FAO's work to tackle the climate crisis
29/11/2023
Amid a worsening climate crisis and slow progress in cutting greenhouse gases, sustainable agrifood systems and practices can help countries and communities...
Publications
Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction
20/07/2022
Following the request of the 26th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), FAO has developed the Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and...
Latest Publications
Field testing food loss data collection and compiling the Food Loss Index in Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay
2025
This paper presents the field tests conducted to test the methodology of the Food Loss Index (FLI) – Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 12.3.1.a – conducted in Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay between 2013 and 2020.
Precooling of fresh produce
2025
This technical brief contributes to FAO’s Programme Priority Area "Better Nutrition", and focuses on reducing food loss and waste. The publication provides technical guidance on pre-cooling methods that can be used to cool fresh produce to optimal temperatures after harvest and before transportation.
Food recovery and distribution - A practical guide for favourable policies and legal frameworks in Europe and Central Asia
2025
This report provides guiding principles and recommendations for policymakers to use in analysing and reviewing their legal and policy frameworks in order to facilitate food recovery and redistribution as integral elements of broader strategies to prevent and reduce food loss and waste.