While many people complain of having eaten too much
over the holidays, according to a recent study by the Italian agricultural
confederation (Cia), 25 million tons of edible goods are thrown out every year
in Italy, worth a total of 37 billion dollars. During the winter
holidays, 25 percent of the food purchased for the holidays, that is, 500
thousand tons or 1.5 billion euro worth of holiday food, is incinerated
annually. The ‘most wasted’ foods, according to Cia, are milk, eggs, cheese,
meat, bread, produce and pasta.
‘This is all due to bad habits, which, despite the
crisis, persist,’ remarked a Cia representative. The largest proportion of food
waste occurs during Christmas, between December 24 and 26, representing upwards
of 50 euro of waste per family on average. The next most wasteful period is
that between Christmas and Epiphany, when 165 tons of food are thrown out,
representing just under 30 euro of waste per family. Adding to the data is
expired food discarded before even reaching the table, by stores, cafeterias,
homes and restaurants nationwide.
According to Cia, each Italian family throws out about
515 euro worth of food annually, representing 10 percent of monthly grocery
spending. However, Italians are most efficient with desserts and spirits:
desserts represent only 4 percent of total waste, while alcohol represents less
than 1 percent.
