Definitions and metrics

This chapter highlights the importance of definitional precision and an agreed statistical methodology in analysing FLW and in formulating policies to deal with this problem. To date there has been some confusion on both of these subjects and this chapter seeks to capture some of the international debate on definitions and metrics. The chapter surveys the key definitions of ‘Food’, ‘Food loss’, ‘Food waste’, ‘Food loss and waste’ and ‘Food supply Chain’. On the subject of metrics, the chapter looks at the various attempts to quantify international and national FLW, before addressing the methodological problems which have been raised in relation to the metrics of FLW. The components of the Food Loss and Waste Accounting and Reporting Standard (FLW Standard), which was promulgated by the World Resources Institute, are analysed and discussed. A consensual approach to a FLW methodology will assist the targeting of national policy and will improve the comparability of various national and international data.