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, a UN Food Systems Summit Coalition co-led by FAO and UNEP to take forward the Agenda 2030 and accelerate action towards SDG target 12.3, to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030.
Highlights
EVENT
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW)
Find out more about the UN IDAFLW and take action to stop food loss and waste!
Tools and apps
FAO Optiwaste
Discover FAO new app that helps users identify, measure, and reduce food waste across food services.
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.
publication
IDAFLW Get Involved Guide
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
Reducing Food Loss and Waste to Drive Global Change | IDAFLW Curtain Raiser 2025
23/10/2025
By making sure that the food we grow is not lost or wasted, we support more diversified diets that nourish stronger communities, build circular food...
Stories
Latest Publications
A guide to the application of a multidimensional solutions approach to food loss and waste reduction in aquatic value chains
2025
This guide describes a multidimensional approach that has been used to address food loss and waste (FLW) in fishery and aquaculture value chains. It is an evolving approach, but early indications are that it warrants wider dissemination, discussion and application.
Addressing high food price inflation for food security and nutrition
2025
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 highlights how elevated inflation in many countries has undermined purchasing power and, especially among low-income populations, access to healthy diets. The report documents how high food price inflation is associated with increases in food insecurity and child malnutrition.
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.
FLW on social media
Useful links
See also
- The Food Loss and Waste Database
- SDG target 12.3
- FAO’s reducing food loss and waste programme - BN 4