Billions Of Animals Killed For Food End Up In The Bin, Says New Study

Approximately 18 billion animals raised for food face wasteful disposal, a new Leiden University study discloses.

Global Food Waste: A Grave Reality

Around one-third of all food produced worldwide is discarded, whether during production, transportation, or by households and retailers. Researchers at Leiden University have now quantified the animal toll of this waste across the entire food supply chain.

Ethical and Environmental Impact of Meat Waste

Contrary to expectations, animal products constitute only 12% of wasted food. However, preventing the unnecessary loss of animal lives from meat has significant ethical and environmental advantages compared to plant-based foods.

Calculating the Cost of Waste

Cutting meat loss globally could spare an astonishing 7.9 billion animal lives without affecting overall meat consumption. This revelation is attributed to the approximately 75 billion animals used in producing the six main meat types considered in the study.

Chickens at the Forefront of Waste

Chickens bear the brunt of food waste, with a staggering 16.8 billion discarded. Poultry, especially chickens, represents the majority among the approximately 70 billion animals slaughtered annually for food.

Waste Disparities Among Animals

Following chickens, turkeys, pigs, sheep, goats, and cows rank as the most wasted animals. Notably, the study excludes animal losses in the egg and dairy industries and the discarded fish.

Food Waste Hotspots Worldwide

Food losses vary globally; developing countries primarily face losses during production, while developed countries, especially China and the US, contribute significantly through supermarkets, restaurants, and households.

Environmental Consequences of Food Waste

Globally, food loss and waste generate 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the relatively higher environmental impact of wasted meat compared to plant-based foods.

The Urgency for Waste Reduction

Reducing food waste by half could save 8.8 billion animal lives. A scenario aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal on Food Loss & Waste could spare 4.2 billion animal lives.

Advocacy for Change

The study underscores the need for governments to mandate major food businesses to report total food waste and set reduction targets. It emphasizes the importance of addressing waste at the production level to improve fairness in the supply chain.

A Call for Plant-Based Solutions

While waste reduction offers significant benefits, advocates argue that transitioning to a plant-based system is the ultimate solution to environmental and ethical concerns associated with animal agriculture.

In conclusion, the study sheds light on the staggering animal toll of global food waste and advocates for a dual approach: minimizing waste and transitioning towards plant-based diets for a sustainable and ethical food future.