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The total cost of food waste in Israel in 2021 was estimated at 21.3 billion shekel (6.217 million USD), which is about 37% of Israel's food production, an annual report revealed on Monday.
The Food Waste and Rescue in Israel's report for 2021 was written by Leket Israel in partnership with the Environmental Protection Ministry.
The report is based on the BDO model and includes a detailed model for assessing the environmental effects of food waste in OECD countries and governmental measures implemented to reduce the loss and waste of food.
The writers of the report said that while the Israeli government established various programs to reduce poverty and minimize gaps between population sectors, it seems that when it comes to food waste, the issue is not a priority.
According to the report, a total of 2.6 tons of food, of which about half could have been saved, were thrown away - at an estimated cost of 2.19 billion USD.
"This report is published during the Sharm el-Sheikh United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), in which humanity will be required to act to deal with the climate crisis and other related issues such as food crisis," said Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg.
"Preventing food waste is necessary to promote Israel's climate, social and economic resilience. The State of Israel has gaps it has to close in order to align with other developed countries that promoted this field."
In a special chapter in the report, an international comparison shows that Israel is ranked last in the number of policy tools implemented to eradicate the phenomenon. France leads the ranking, followed by Canada, Germany, Italy, Britain, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, the United States, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Mexico, Chile, Finland, and Sweden.
First published: 13:21, 11.14.22