Iraq launches national drive to cut food waste, says annual per-person loss reaches 143 kg

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Planning held the first meeting in Baghdad of a National Initiative aimed at reducing food loss and waste, the ministry said on Saturday. Officials at the session described annual food waste in Iraq as a serious problem and outlined priorities for an upcoming national roadmap. Muayed Ismail, director general of the ministry's Anti-Poverty Strategy department, said per capita food waste in Iraq is estimated at 143 kilograms per year, a level he described as very high. Ismail said the waste drives economic losses, accelerates the depletion of natural resources and raises carbon emissions. Maher Hammad Jawhan, the ministry's undersecretary for technical affairs, said food waste is a global issue but that Iraq's rates remain elevated, according to the ministry. He said the meeting was convened to launch the initiative, assess the current situation and discuss the national roadmap. Maha Abdulkarim Rawi, director general of Human Development, presented Jordan's experience in tackling food waste, suggesting public awareness campaigns, fines and fees on organic waste, and redistribution of surplus meals. Representatives from the ministries of culture, health, environment, trade, agriculture, education and water resources attended the meeting.