Core Viewpoint - Food waste is a significant global issue, with approximately one-third of food produced being wasted or lost each year, leading to environmental and resource costs that are often overlooked [1][2][3] Group 1: Food Loss and Waste Statistics - The global food loss from production to retail is estimated at 13.9%, and reducing this loss by 1% could yield an additional 27 million tons of food, sufficient to feed 70 million people for a year [1] - In China, the food loss rate across the entire grain supply chain is 8%, with production and harvesting accounting for 27%, storage and transportation for 33%, and consumption for 31% [1] - The loss rates for major staple crops in China are 26% for rice, 16.7% for wheat, and 18.1% for corn, with rice having the highest waste volume [1] Group 2: Environmental Impact of Food Waste - Food waste incurs significant environmental costs, including the consumption of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, as well as the emission of greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide [2] - The ecological consequences of food waste include soil degradation in Northeast China, groundwater depletion in North China, and heavy metal pollution in southern rice-growing areas [2] Group 3: Policy and Legislative Framework - Reducing food waste has become a critical strategy for ensuring food security and achieving low-carbon emissions, with the UN's 2030 agenda aiming to halve global per capita food waste at the retail and consumer levels [3] - China has enacted the Anti-Food Waste Law in 2021, becoming the fourth country globally to legislate against food waste, with 29 ministries establishing a collaborative mechanism to promote food waste reduction [3] - Despite the legislative framework, challenges remain in effective implementation, with a need for stronger government leadership and improved regulatory mechanisms to enhance policy execution [3][4] Group 4: Cultural and Systemic Challenges - The causes of food waste are complex, involving cultural practices, information asymmetry, and business consumption patterns [4] - Future efforts should focus on developing standardized menus, updating technological approaches, and shifting consumer attitudes to effectively reduce food waste [4]