The management and prevention of food losses and waste in low- and middle-income countries: A mini-review in the Africa region

Abstract

This mini-review analyses food losses and waste (FLW) management in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and identifies potential strategies to improve FLW management efficiency on the African continent. To achieve this aim, a search of grey and published scientific literature-case studies, feasibility studies, theses, peer-reviewed journals, governments and technical reports was performed. Food waste (FW) per capita in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) was determined to be between 6 and 11 kg capita^-1 year^-1. Factors militating against FLW management include a lack of infrastructure, waste reduction and mandatory waste management plans, financial support for food redistribution programmes, awareness and a lack of knowledge of FW management and effective approaches. Poor recovery systems, a lack of incentives in FW recycling programmes, a lack of a regulatory and policy framework and institutional weaknesses as well as a lack of sufficient and appropriate education programmes to improve FW source separation and collection rates are all significant challenges in the African region, with negative consequences for the environment and public health. Except for fuel conversion and food scraps for digestion to recover energy, there is a huge potential for composting and using FW as a digestate, which could eventually lead to a reduction in the amount of FW being landfilled or incinerated. The study explores potential interventions to reduce amount of FLW and form a basis for future research in this field and improving FW management efficiency in LMCs, especially on the continent of Africa. It also provides information that could assist researchers, policymakers and decision-makers reduce amount of FLW, aid in the utilization of FW for energy production, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the continent, as well as support the achievement of other sustainable development goals, such as 12.3, which is particularly important in the context of the African continent, which is dependent on food imports.

Keywords: Food losses and waste prevention; composting; environmental sustainability; food losses and waste; multi-stakeholder partnerships; policy reforms.

Figure 1.

Context used in the study.

Figure 2.

Food supply chain stages and examples of causes of food losses and waste. Source: Revised by the authors from retrieved literature.

Figure 3.

Overview of classification of FW. Source: Adopted from Nath et al. (2023).

Figure 4.

Food waste sources, their valorization methods and reported products from studies related to Africa. Source: Revised by authors from retrieved literature.

Figure 5.

Proposed regulatory approaches for prevention of FLW. Source: Revised by the authors from retrieved literature. FLW: food losses and waste.