Every year, tons of food end up in Germany in the garbage. Now, the Federal government has submitted a concept, but met with criticism.
The Apple has a brown spot, is reached by the expiration date, or you bought too much, then in German private households quickly: ton and get away with it! Every year, land in Germany per head of 55 kilograms of food in the garbage instead of in the stomach.
This is not only sad, but also preventable, says Julia Klöckner from the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). The Minister for agriculture, food and consumer protection, aims to halve, by 2030, the amount of food that is thrown away. A concept has been adopted by the Cabinet this Wednesday. It is aimed not only to end-users – the customers in the supermarket , but also to companies, organizations, politics, and science. Because, the power of the Minister is clear: to reduce waste is an “economic, environmental, and ethical obligation” for all.
An abundance of curb
The most important aspect: the smaller quantities. And it is precisely here that the manufacturer come into play. To avoid Excess, to be improved, among other things, processes in the retail trade – so about a more suitable order quantities, smaller and more frequent deliveries of goods, the distribution of products between stores or special price promotions. And also “smart” packaging, i.e., the view of the consumer with the aid of technical means, whether or not a product is still edible or not. This can be done, for example, with a red-yellow-green traffic light system. This is an area of around 14 million Euro in the development.
Because the people in Germany are not only buying more than they can eat – they are, according to Klöckner too fast, when it comes, to dispose of supposedly Expired. “Just in everyday life, we must learn again to trust our own senses: Look, smell, taste – helps to determine whether a food is still edible,” says Klöckner. That the date of minimum durability has passed, it would mean in many cases that a product must be disposed of.
Want to new concepts instead of the disposable culture: Federal Minister Julia Klöckner
“A concept without the customer being made”
But Klöckners concept enough indeed? Criticism comes, among other things, of food associations. Easy to take half of all the fresh food from the assortment, is not a solution, says Christian Cooper Interview by the Federal Association of the German food trade in the DW. “The dealer would not want – and the customer will not,” says Böttcher.
Just in the past few years, fresh and ready-to-eat products are in Trend. The target of the government had been made without the customer. Also the efforts of the Ministry, to put on smart packaging, Böttcher skeptical. “The date of minimum durability is overrated anyway, because the food can be thrown away commonly, have no expiration date,” says Böttcher. Are meant products such as fruits and vegetables that are not sold industrially Packed. In addition, Cooper says, that the consumer of the importance of the date of minimum durability be aware of. In addition, A traffic light, for example in the yogurt lids had to display the time very precisely, whether the food is still good. Böttcher: “this is A vague green-yellow gradient unsettled.”
A lack of appreciation of food?
Also, the panels in Germany are not satisfied with the concept. The clubs in everyday life, to collect surplus food from the retail trade and to the needy. Jochen Brühl, Chairman of the Board Germany, should have happen much earlier something to curb food waste. In addition, a time lacking in the concept of the Federal government plan, with binding intermediate targets. The constant availability of food, lack of appreciation, insufficient nutrition education, and irritation resulted in Brühl, according to the amount of discarded food.
Many food products land in the shopping cart, then in the trash
In the supermarkets there is often a Glut, long-lasting food would be sorted out, because new food will be supplied. Also Bernhard Krüsken, Secretary-General of the German farmers ‘ Association, says: “food waste is a sign of low appreciation of food and devalues the work of the farmers.” The German farmers ‘ Association therefore support the fight against food waste.
Less food in the shopping cart and then in the waste land, published by the Ministry of food and agriculture, by the way, together with the new concept equal to a few serious consumer tips. Among other things, customers should write before going to the Store with a shopping list, and, very important: Never to go hungry shopping, because the concern for a lot of Pointless purchases.