Food waste and insecurity

Food waste remains a serious problem in Pakistan, with a top academic claiming that almost 20 million tonnes of food is "lost" at parties, restaurants and hotels every year. While the number seems to be an overestimation (the same official said the country's total food requirement is about 70 million tonnes), there is no doubt for anyone who has organised, or even attended, a catered event that organisers and hosts usually oversupply food to ensure their event does not descend into chaos because the buffet table got cleared.

So, while the government is more focused on actions to increase food production to address overall supply issues, the state and society must come together to introduce policies and encourage cultural changes that significantly reduce food waste. One effective strategy is the establishment of food banks, where almost expired packaged items are given away or sold for next to nothing. Keep in mind that 'expiry' and 'best by' dates are often based on visual and aesthetic factors, not food safety. If done scientifically and transparently, this would not only reduce food waste, but also provide affordable options for individuals and families struggling to put food on the table. It is also relatively inexpensive and can operate on the basis of minimal tax breaks for producers and owners of participating vendors, shops, grocery stores and supermarkets.

Restaurants, bakeries, wedding halls and caterers should also be encouraged to give away clean, uneaten food to those in need. Some eateries already do so on their own initiative, but government support for such a scheme is a good way to make use of perfectly edible food that would otherwise end up in garbage bins. Additionally, implementing fines for food waste could serve as a deterrent and motivate businesses to adopt more responsible practices in handling surplus food. Some restaurants abroad 'fine' customers for leaving too much food on their plates, and many allow customers to order smaller portions to discourage over-ordering. While this may be tricky to enforce, it can be done as long as everyone is on the same page.