Think,eat and save food

In India,there is no question of wasting food as it has been given the status of a God. Food provides us nutrition to grow and sustain our health. The health of an individual depends on four primarily factors,including nutrition,lifestyle,environment and genetics. When any one or more of these pillars that form the foundation of our health become weak,medical intervention becomes necessary.

World Environment Day 2013 focuses on preventing food wastage,which has a direct impact on food,nutrition and environment. It appeals to us to “think” and reminds us about the gravity of the situation regarding this problem. In the developed nations of the world,wastage amounts to as much as 1.3 billion tonnes annually. On the other hand,one in every seven people cannot get a single meal every day and over 20,000 children under the age of 5 die daily from hunger. Over 200 million people can be fed with the amount of food wasted in Latin America and Europe. Every year over $90 million is lost due to wastage and spoilage in the dairy sector in Africa. The story of the rapidly developing India is no different.

The Food and Agricultural Organisation estimates that one third of the global food production is either wasted or lost causing a significant negative environmental impact. This year’s campaign highlights the difference a few determined people can make to reduce food waste,make preservation processes more efficient and reduce the adverse impact on the environment. For instance,it takes about 1,000 litres of water to produce 1 litre of milk and about 16,000 litres go into the fodder for one cow to make a hamburger. The global food production occupies 25% of all habitable land and is responsible for 70% of fresh water consumption,80% of deforestation,and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. It is the single largest driver of biodiversity loss and land-use change. Today,on the World Environment Day,let us be aware of the environmental impact of food wastage. Let us get back to our own culture. Let us eat enough food,respect and save food for the millions who are deprived of this. Let us not create more harm to the ecosystem and environment. Let us save and reduce our foodprint!

The author is Director,Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences,University of Pune