Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste (TPFLW)
Background
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) launched the Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste (TPFLW) in December 2015, following the G20 Ministries of Agriculture's recommendation to focus on food loss and waste (FLW) measurement and reduction.
Mission
The TPFLW contributes to the Food is Never Waste Coalition, a UN Food Systems Summit Coalition co-led by FAO and UNEP, aiming to accelerate action towards SDG target 12.3: halving per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reducing food losses along production and supply chains by 2030.
Key Highlights
- International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) - 29 September 2026: The 2026 IDAFLW will focus on the "Transformative Potential of Reducing Food Loss and Waste". Follow the event here.
- Reducing food loss for environmental protection and agrifood system transformation: A new FAO interactive map illustrates estimated global food losses. Discover the Food Loss Index map.
Cutting Food Loss in Action
- New dryers reduce hazelnut waste in Georgia: Fuelled by nutshell waste, these dryers help reduce the loss of precious Georgian hazelnuts.
- Transportation systems and food loss: Understanding why we need to consider transportation systems for reducing food loss. Read more.
Tools and Resources
- FAO Food Loss and Waste Database: Access the largest live database on food loss and waste, with nearly 40,000 data points. User guide.
- TPFLW Newsletter: Stay up to date with all the latest news on food loss and waste, and join our Community of Practice! Subscribe here.
Latest Publications
- Guidelines on the measurement of harvest and post-harvest losses - Annex I: Meat, milk, and eggs (2026)