The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) will celebrate the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on 29 September, which is coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This date is designed to make an effective call to action for both the public and private sectors, to foster initiatives and move escalate programmes and process innovation to reduce food loss and waste.
Reinforcing the message
According to WPO President, Luciana Pellegrino, “As WPO, we recognise the importance of the International Day of Awareness about Food Loss and Waste, and we are committed to reinforcing its message. From our perspective, WPO can act in two different streams on behalf of this celebration: first, to engage member organisations and the global packaging community to foster packaging technology and innovation enhancing food preservation from farm to fork, and second, to build awareness across the globe about the five Design Principles to Avoid Food Loss and Waste published in 2025 by AIP and at WPO, UNIDO and WUR paper and embraced by FSSC 22.0000 V7.”
Luciana adds: “Fostering more effective and sustainable food value chains can optimise environmental impacts by reducing CO2 emissions from food degradation, and at the same time to escalate economic growth and social wellbeing by strengthening local food chains and by fostering food security, access and convenience.”
“The WPO continues to work with our members to develop innovative packaging solutions that can help to further reduce food loss and waste and make a positive impact on the environment and society. By contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, we strive to create a more sustainable and food-secure world for all,” states the WPO President.
Packaging plays a role in minimising food loss
Vice President Sustainability & Save Food, Nerida Kelton, adds: ‘Without adequate intuitive packaging design features and fit-for-purpose packaging, food can potentially be wasted all the way through the supply chain to the consumer. By embedding the AIP Save Food Packaging Guidelines into design principles at the start, packaging can play a role in minimising food loss or waste across the value chain.The most innovative and intuitive Save Food Packaging uses design features that can contain & protect, preserve, extend shelf life, easily open and reseal, provide consumer convenience and portion control; all the while meeting global sustainable packaging targets.”
“Opportunities for packaging design to minimise food waste can include better facilitation or communication around portion control, date labelling, extension of shelf life, protection, resealability and openability, serving size, food safety/freshness information, information on storage options and improved communication on packs,” she said.
WPO outcomes and milestones
The WPO has undertaken extensive work in this area through the Sustainability & Save Food portfolio and in recent years has:
- Formalised an official partnership of the SAVE FOOD Initiative with WPO, FAO, UNIDO, Messe Düsseldorf and interpack.
- Assisted the development of SAVE Food Awards in China, Middle East and Africa; in 2026 a global programme was launched at interpack.
- Assisted with the SAVE Food Forums across the world to bring packaging professionals together to discuss this important topic.
- Provided more than 50 training courses, workshops and presentations on the AIP Save Food Packaging design guidelines, that the WPO have now globalised.
- Launched the first global position paper with UNIDO and Wageningen University on the Paradox between Packaging & Food Waste.
- Partnered with FSSC to globalise the use of the AIP Save Food Packaging design guidelines by adding the principles into FSSC 22000 V7. This will enable 40,000 businesses across the world to consider packaging design as a part of their Food Safety Management process.
- Supported local WPO Member associations to elevate this conversation through their own conferences, workshops, and training.
- Increased the number of entries across the world into the Save Food Special award category within the WorldStar Packaging Awards.
- Developed multiple case studies on WorldStar Save Food Packaging winners that are available on the WPO website.
The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) encourages everyone to observe the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss & Waste on the 29th of September, as everyone has a role to play.