Quantity and quality of food losses along the Swiss potato supply chain: Stepwise investigation and the influence of quality standards on losses

Waste Management
Christian WillersinnMichael Siegrist

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a stepwise investigation of the quantity and quality of food losses along the Swiss potato supply chain. Quantitative data were collected from field trials, from structured interviews with wholesalers, processors and retailers, and from consumer surveys in combination with a 30-day diary study. The "Swiss trade customs for potatoes" pose the basis for the qualitative evaluation of losses. The influences of technological, institutional (business and economy; legislation and policy), and social drivers on the generation of fresh potato and processed potato products losses were assessed. Losses due to quality standards driven by food safety and consumer preferences for certain aesthetic standards have been evaluated too. Across the entire potato value chain, approximately 53-55% of the initial fresh potato production and 41-46% of the initial processing potato production are finally lost. Losses between organic and non-organic supply chains differ from 2% to 5%. From the total initial fresh potato production, 15-24% gets lost during agricultural production, a further 12-24% at wholesalers, 1-3% at retailers, and 15% at private households. In comparison, 5-11% of the initial production gets lost a...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1980·The British Journal of Nutrition·R W WenlockB J Derry
May 28, 2009·Waste Management & Research : the Journal of the International Solid Wastes and Public Cleansing Association, ISWA·Joseph LangleyJenny Rowson
Dec 5, 2009·Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition·Mary Ellen CamireDanielle J Donnelly
Aug 18, 2010·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Julian ParfittSarah Macnaughton

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