8 May 2026

Ministry calls for action on food waste: responsibility at every link of the chain

Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry points out that millions of tonnes of food are wasted worldwide every year, causing economic losses and putting pressure on natural resources. According to the ministry, a large share of this waste occurs in households, while losses at restaurants, supermarkets and other retail outlets, as well as during production, processing, transport and storage, also make up a significant part of the total. Planning meals, shopping with a list and buying only what is needed, using up leftovers and storing food under suitable conditions are listed as the main measures for reducing waste. The ministry also stresses that knowing the difference between the “use by” and “best before” dates on labels helps prevent unnecessary disposal, and recommends passing surplus food that is still edible on to people in need.