free space

good path

Faisal Mohammed Al-Shamry

April 18 2022

The population of the UAE ranks among the highest per capita producers of waste in the world.

An estimated 38% of food prepared daily is wasted, which jumps to around 60% during Ramadan (according to Dubai Carbon).

The national pledge initiative to reduce food waste came to contribute to addressing this, as nearly two million meals were recovered and recycled in 2019, and the initiative urges the hospitality sector to adopt efficient and waste-saving food production practices.

According to the Food Sustainability Index of the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition, the UAE ranked 22nd out of 25 countries in the Gulf region in terms of food waste, with each individual contributing 197 kilograms of food waste each year.

More than 32% of all food waste is attributed to the hospitality sector, and from this point of view came the need to start this sector as a strategic partner to contribute to the fight against hunger, reduce food waste, and provide the needy with healthy meals.

The value of food waste in the country is estimated at more than 13 billion dirhams annually, and restaurants and hotels are looking to contribute to reducing food waste by up to 75%, with some authorities reporting savings of nearly $140,000.

Exceeding the limit in spending or disturbing the balance is a clear extravagance, the Almighty said: “And do not be extravagant, for He does not like the extravagant.” Surah (Al-A’raf: 31). Extravagance is clearly forbidden in Islam. With alms, the Almighty said: “And give his right on the day of his harvest, and do not be extravagant, for He does not love the wasteful” (Al-An’am: 141).

The launch of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Food Bank Foundation, an initiative to save one million meals from surplus food, and distribute them to the needy during Ramadan, in cooperation with 200 hotels and food establishments, with more than 37 million beneficiaries and customers In the food bank chaired by Her Highness, he confirms what His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, noted: "Hind is a role model... Hind is benevolent and generous... Hind is a companion and friend in the path of goodness."

The launch of the “Million Meals of Surplus Food” campaign, and its joining the efforts of the “Billion Meals” initiative, encourages us to take care of what we prepare on our tables daily. It reminds us of the conditions of our fellow human beings who do not have enough food for their day. Blessings are fleeting, and they are only sustained by charity and supplication, and leadership sets a good example for us with this initiative, which, in these blessed days of the blessed month of Ramadan, contributes to supporting humanitarian work, reminds us of the basics of food security and its economic importance, consolidates the bonds of human cooperation, and reflects the extent of suffering among others. Especially in light of conflicts that have contributed to the rise in the cost of food, the slowdown in supply chains, and the disruption of preservation, refrigeration, storage and transportation capabilities, due to the rise in global fuel prices.

Let us all contribute to the reduction of food waste, and to enhance the efficiency of consumption and the efficiency of food preservation, and to increase what we can from our positive contributions and humanitarian donations. .

• The UAE ranks 22nd out of 25 countries in the Gulf region in terms of food waste.

• Management Consultant, Digital Transformation, Expert and Evaluator of Corporate Excellence

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