The problem of food waste : A legal-economic analysis

This chapter reviews, building on legal-systematic and economic analysis, the origins for food waste vested in food law and states possible remedies. Several causes are identified: A policy of 'zero-tolerance', food information requirements, bans on use of hazardous materials, a policy of 'structural precaution' and strict top-down plant pest controls. In all of these, uncertainties as to how to behave and what the real risks are seem to play a key role in the early discard of consumable foodstuffs. Solutions can come from technical, legal as well as social sciences. In food law and policy, rule-makers should be more aware of the adverse effects of requirements on businesses that foster food safety. Technical sciences may provide solutions through nano- and it-innovations. From social sciences, it can be learned what factors induce humans to overemphasise risk exposure. Moral issues are connected to possible solutions, especially to certain potentially hazardous new techniques (like nanotechnology) and the acceptability to nudge, channel and restrict free human will and choice to reduce the waste stream