The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) will celebrate the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on 29 September, which is coordinated by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This date is designed to make an effective call to action for both, the public and private sectors, to foster initiatives and move escalate programs and process innovation to reduce food loss and waste.

According to WPO President, Luciana Pellegrino, “As WPO, we recognize the importance of the International Day of Awareness about Food Loss and Waste, and we are committed to reinforce its message. From our perspective, WPO can act in two different streams on behalf of this celebration: first, to engage member organisations and the global packaging community to foster packaging technology and innovation enhancing food preservation from farm to fork, and second, to build awareness across the globe about the five Design Principles to Avoid Food Loss and Waste published in 2025 by AIP and at WPO, UNIDO and WUR paper and embraced by FSSC 22.0000 V7.”

Luciana adds: “Fostering more effective and sustainable food value chains can optimize environmental impacts by reducing CO₂ emissions from food degradation, and at the same time to escalate economic growth and social wellbeing by strengthening local food chains and by fostering food security, access and convenience.”

“The WPO continues to work with our members to develop innovative packaging solutions that can help to further reduce food loss and waste and make a positive impact on the environment and society. By contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, we strive to create a more sustainable and food-secure world for all”, states WPO President.

Vice President Sustainability & Save Food, Nerida Kelton, adds: ‘Without adequate intuitive packaging design features and fit-for-purpose packaging, food can potentially be wasted all the way through the supply chain to the consumer. By embedding the AIP Save Food Packaging Guidelines into design principles at the start, packaging can play a role in minimising food loss or waste across the value chain.  

“The most innovative and intuitive Save Food Packaging uses design features that can contain & protect, preserve, extend shelf life, easily open and reseal, provide consumer convenience and portion control; all the while meeting global sustainable packaging targets,” Kelton says.

“Opportunities for packaging design to minimise food waste can include better facilitation or communication around portion control, date labelling, extension of shelf life, protection, resealability and openability, serving size, food safety/freshness information, information on storage options and improved communication on packs,” she said.

The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) encourages everyone to observe the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss & Waste on the 29th of September, as everyone had a role to play.