COMCEC
Reducing Food Waste
In the 01CMember Countries
Within the context ef culture social events, such as weddings and the stigma associated with
taking feed leftovers frem restaurants heme is explored further. This research identified these
as particular cultural manifestations within OIC Member Countries that contribute te an
increase in heuseheld and feed service secter feed waste.
2.1.3. Causes o f h o u s e h o ld fo o d w a s te
Research suggests that there are feur main causes fer feed waste at heme. These include:
• Peer planning ef purchases,
• Confusion about date labelling,
• Peer storage er stock management, and
• Peer feed preparation.
Poor plann ing of purchases
Peer planning fer a feed shep can result in ever-purchase, whether improvised er feed
purchases bought tee leng in advance. This can lead te the purchase ef excessive quantities ef
feed, which can lead te feed net being consumed in time leading te feed waste (Beuzen et al.,
2016; WRAP, 2007]. This study reveals that mest households in the surveyed OIC Member
Countries de regularly adept the use ef shopping lists, and check their feed stocks prier te feed
shopping. However, they all acknowledged that this still did net prohibit them frem ever-
purchasing.
Censumers are often encouraged, through discounts er promotions, such as ‘buy-one-get-one-
free’, te buy mere than they need. This is a growing trend, with a third ef grocery spend being
on discounted products (WRAP, 2011a]. Often when purchasing large quantities, shoppers do
net leek at use-by dates er do net calculate the amount ef feed they need. This ever-purchase is
a major cause ef feed waste, as net all feed purchased can be consumed in time resulting in
spoilage (France Nature Environment, 2013; WRAP, 2007; WRAP, 2011a].
It is also possible that when people purchase feed less often i.e. bigger shops, feed can lose its
quality and deteriorate, resulting in feed waste. Contrary to this is the ever day feed shep which
can lead te the purchase ef tee much er unnecessary feed, which alse deterierates leading te
feed waste (HLPE, 2014].
The response to promotions within households frem the surveyed OIC Member Countries
suggests seme variations in terms ef the influence promotions have on shopping habits. her
example, in Afghanistan, Cameroon and Turkey respondents indicated that promotions
sometimes influenced their purchasing decisions, whilst in Uzbekistan the majority agreed that
they were always influenced, and in Senegal, Saudi Arabia and Benin promotions have little
sway.
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