A study conducted by the American University of Beirut in collaboration with the Lebanese American University has reached shocking results, indicating that 35 percent of food is wasted in restaurants and homes. This study revealed that a significant number of Lebanese still follow a wasteful policy, while many live in extreme poverty and cannot secure even a crust of bread. What are the reasons for this phenomenon? How can waste be avoided?
Food safety researcher Dr. Hussein Hassan explains that the reasons for food waste in Lebanon are cultural. In an interview with MTV, he states, "Lebanese rely on mezze at their dining tables, which is present at every occasion, and the study demonstrated that as the number of people at the table increases, the rate of waste rises, especially during social events and holidays that involve preparing large spreads. In short, food is essential in our culture, whether in times of sadness or joy, and relying on food is one of the reasons for waste."
He adds, "The recent electricity crisis has also increased waste, as many food items spoil due to improper storage. Recently, there has also been a shortage of inspectors, leading to a decline in oversight, with supermarket shelves filled with various food items that spoil quickly without proper monitoring."
Hassan notes that "the study showed that Lebanese restaurants waste significantly due to the variety of dishes available; by the time the main dish, the 'grilled meats,' arrives, a person may already be full from the mezze."
Hassan offers useful, simple tips to avoid waste, starting at home. Here are the main ones:
- Do not go to the supermarket when you are hungry, as studies have shown that this increases the tendency to waste.
- Prepare a list of items you need before heading to the supermarket, and do not be swayed by promotions; you may not end up using the item, leading to waste.
- Follow recipes when preparing dishes; studies have indicated that following them reduces waste due to precise measurements.
- Consider donating excess food to organizations like the Lebanese Food Bank.
- Before throwing anything away, evaluate it, especially fruit.
- Use smaller plates instead of large ones to avoid waste, and only serve what you need.
- Check your shelves at home, and use any food that is nearing its expiration date immediately. In restaurants, avoid feeling embarrassed and ask to take leftovers home to benefit from them or give them to someone in need, so they do not go to waste.
