An international environmental group suggests that reducing Canada91裸聊视频檚 colossal food waste would be a smart business move and good for the environment.

91裸聊视频淵ou can make a really strong business case for action,91裸聊视频� said David Donaldson of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, an environmental watchdog agency set up under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Canada is one of the biggest wasters of food on the planet, says the commission91裸聊视频檚 report, released late last week. The agency found that from farm to table, 396 kilograms of food annually are wasted or lost per capita.

That91裸聊视频檚 compared with 415 kilograms in the United States and 249 kilograms in Mexico.

Food is considered lost when it is spilled or spoiled before it reaches its final destination.

Not only does that waste have an economic cost 91裸聊视频� other studies have pegged it at about $30 billion a year 91裸聊视频� it creates 21 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, largely from landfills.

By far the largest part of the waste comes from consumers, says the report. Every Canadian, on average, tosses away 170 kilograms of food a year.

The commission91裸聊视频檚 recommendations focus on the middle part of the food chain where Canada91裸聊视频檚 groceries are collected, processed, distributed and prepared. That91裸聊视频檚 where the economic case is clearest, Donaldson said.

91裸聊视频淵ou can make a business case for it. Companies can improve the way they do business.91裸聊视频�

Restaurants could reduce portions, the report suggests. Bread served at tables could be optional. Buffet serving trays could be shallower to reduce the amount of food on display.

Retailers could sell cosmetically imperfect produce at a discount, as some already do. Expiry date labels could be standardized.

Better tools and techniques to prevent food waste and to make processing and transport more efficient would be a big help, said researcher Tamara Shulman.

91裸聊视频淲e interviewed people from across Canada and everyone91裸聊视频檚 thirsty to get access to information,91裸聊视频� she said.

James Rillet of Restaurants Canada said his industry is well aware of the economic benefits of cutting waste.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 money out of their pockets.91裸聊视频�

Rillet91裸聊视频檚 group already runs programs to help restaurateurs plan better to avoid waste. It91裸聊视频檚 also working with the Ontario government to avoid food waste due to outdated health guidelines.

But he called some of the report91裸聊视频檚 recommendations simplistic.

91裸聊视频淪ome restaurants are known for their portion sizes,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 so many different concepts.

91裸聊视频淐onsumers want what they want.91裸聊视频�

The National Zero Waste Council, which is devoted to cutting waste from the Canadian economy, praised the commission91裸聊视频檚 report and said it echoed many recommendations it has already made.

91裸聊视频淏est-before dates are low-hanging fruit,91裸聊视频� said Denise Philippe. 91裸聊视频淭he dates on our food packaging are all over the map.91裸聊视频�

Too much food gets tossed because consumers and businesses assume a best-before date is a deadline and not a quality benchmark, she said.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not clear to the consumer and sometimes not to businesses that when we say 91裸聊视频榖est before91裸聊视频� we91裸聊视频檙e not talking about a food safety issue.91裸聊视频�

Donaldson said more people are becoming aware of the problem.

The commission91裸聊视频檚 report was produced at the request of the three NAFTA governments. As well, all three have signed a United Nations pledge to halve food waste and loss by 2030.

A federal strategy is expected this spring.

91裸聊视频淭he issue of food waste, for the last decade, has really come to the forefront,91裸聊视频� Donaldson said.

Canadian Press