2016/05/04 by Redlingshöfer, Barbara, Coudurier, Bernard, Georget, Martine
#Animal supply chain #Filière animale #Filière végétale #Food loss #Perte alimentaire #Plant supply chain #Quantification
paper · doi:10.15454/1.462270509589515e12
Inra, in a transversal study approach, has defined a definition framework for the analysis of food loss in supply chains. Four plant supply chains and six animal supply chains have been analyzed. Food loss is defined as discarded or lost food products initially intended for human consumption, unless they are used for animal feed (excluding pet-food). Other recycling choices lower down in the waste hierarchy have been characterized and quantified as much as possible for discarded or lost food products, so that their final use or fate could be determined. The study’s scope went from harvest to the distribution stage. Shortfall in production compared to an optimum yield, although not considered as food loss, have been analyzed and compared for their relative importance. In order to quantifiy a total loss rate per supply chain (and product if possible), the difficulty of agregating discarded or lost food products at the different supply chain stages needs to be overcome. Due to processing of agricultural raw material prior to placing it on the market, the edible part of food varies along the supply chain which does not allow agregation of amounts that are different in nature.