Beef Industry Study Finds Significant Food Waste at Consumer Level

The study found that about 19 percent of all edible meat produced is wasted after the animal is processed, and 10 percent of this waste is at a consumer level.

The Canadian Beef Industry has a strong focus on sustainability, which includes environmental stewardship and raising cattle with care.

Also read, Report says, food waste costs Canada $31B a year.

Producers and industry stakeholders work hard to ensure they are reducing their environmental footprint.

In a recent study, conducted through the Canadian Round Table for Sustainable Beef, it was found about 19 percent of all edible meat produced is wasted after the animal is processed, and 10 percent of this waste is at a consumer level.

Tom Lynch- Staunton, Issues Manager at the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, says there is a real opportunity to reduce our environmental impact by informing consumers about ways to reduce the amount of meat thrown away.

"We need to make sure we are using all of our resources as efficiently as possible, so all that feed, land, water, labour, time, and energy, that went into raising the animal isn't wasted. Much like trying to reduce our fuel consumption in our car, or even turning our lights out."

He encourages consumers to focus on ways they can reuse their meat if it isn't all finished in one sitting, such as taking home the steak you didn't finish at the restaurant and cutting it into pieces for sandwiches the next day.

He adds, producers have a role to play when it comes to educating consumers.

"I think we can help people understand that food doesn't just come from a grocery store, and there was a lot of energy, effort, and resources that was put into providing that food for people. As a consumer, if I think about that and where the food came from, then I might consider using that food a little bit better."

Lynch Staunton says perhaps this is another avenue to build stronger public confidence in the beef industry.

SOURCE Jessica Giles, LacombeOnline