By Akani Nkuna
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has expressed deep concern over the excessive levels of food waste in South Africa.
It said that large quantities of edible food are discarded, exacerbating issues of hunger and food insecurity in the country.
“Food waste not only drives up food prices but also escalates the costs associated with managing and disposing of waste, which are ultimately reflected in consumer prices,” said CSIR Researcher Intern Sinhle Matinise during a media briefing on Thursday.
Matinise said that reducing food waste could lower food prices, thereby addressing the critical issue of food insecurity.
The CSIR convened the briefing to showcase the efforts of young South African researchers who are leveraging science, technology, and innovation to tackle pressing issues such as food waste, public health, and agricultural challenges.
Matinise and her team are actively engaged in using their scientific expertise to support policy formulation and improve the livelihoods of ordinary citizens through rigorous data analysis and practical solutions.
Matinise underscored that food waste significantly contributes to climate change.
When food waste decomposes in landfills, it releases methane gas, which is harmful to the ozone layer and contributes to global warming.
“Food waste also signifies a squandering of resources used in food production, which are lost without ever fulfilling their intended purpose,” she said.
According to Matinise, an alarming 10.3 tons of food are lost in South Africa annually, amounting to 45% of the total food supply across the food chain, with manufacturers and processors being major contributors.
Despite South Africa producing enough food to meet its population’s needs, Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) reported that one in four households experienced hunger in 2024.
The CSIR stressed the urgent need to comprehend the scale of food waste in order to implement effective strategies.
This includes developing guidelines to assist stakeholders in the food supply chain to reduce waste.
“We aim to understand the root causes and factors driving food waste generation, and to provide data-driven insights through initiatives like the Food Loss and Waste Initiative (FLWI) and South Africa’s Voluntary Agreement on reducing food losses and waste,” Matinise said.
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