Insight
Shashi Shekhar Group Chairman & Founder , SCLG Chairman & Managing Partner , innovaXL
twitter : @ shashi _ SCLG
Early this month , contaminated eggs supply from Netherland to multiple countries in European Union attracted attention of consumers , importers and policy makers . Reportedly eggs contaminated by Fipronil made into consumer food supply chain . Fipronil used as insecticide in treating veterinary parasite conditions is considered hazardous for human consumption and to public health . Dutch authorities upon investigation confirmed that up to 25 % of poultry farm exhibited concerns linked to use of insecticide products with traces of Fipronil . Experts of food security , safety and sustainability say that there are several such examples of not so well managed food supply chain causing concerns to public health and demanding adoption of the best practices across value chain .
Access to safe food supply is needed for all to keep physically healthy — keeping physically healthy is not only individual requirement but also a need to contribute to economy and ecology . This is estimated that the world population will reach 9 billion by year 2050 rising from estimated current population of 7 billion . Demand of food supply
is then estimated to grow to nearly double of current level . Estimated 15 % population of world today is victim of hunger , malnutrition and health issues due lack of availability of sufficient or sufficiently healthy food supply . Many experts believe that with elimination of food wastage across value chain globally , hunger can be completely wiped out . I subscribe to a view-point that the issues connected with food insecurity should be eliminated in complete through planned and phased approach by encouraging collaboration across participants of value chain . “ Food insecurity is a household- level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food . Hunger is an individual-level physiological condition that may result from food insecurity .” Concluded world food summit , 1996 .
Estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food wastage each year is noted across globe — this is estimated to be 30 % for overall food production globally . Analysts suggest that food wastage is shared equally among developed and developing nations . Experts estimate that food wastage in developed nations is more on retail & consumption side of value chain however developing countries report more wastage in agricultural production .
Food & amp ; Agricultural Organization ( FAO ), United Nations says below
Growing complexity in managing safe and secure food supply chain
“ When all people at all times have access to sufficient , safe , nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life . ....... Household food security exists when all members , at all times , have access to enough food for an active , healthy life .”
The responsibility of sustainability , security and safety related to Food Supply Chain is of all individuals represented across food supply chain from seed to table . Collaboration across all tiers of suppliers and all tiers of consumers helps in resolving multiple complex concerns of food safety , security and sustainability . This is advised that all organizations engaged in sourcing , production , logistics and retailing should participate in resolving food supply chains to positive next level .
62 August 2017