Post-Harvest Losses and Food
Waste Research in Canada
Presentation to APEC Seminar on
Strengthening Public-Private Partnership to
Reduce Food Losses in the Supply Chain
August 2013
Food Losses and Waste Are An Important
Element of Supporting Food Security
• Much of the dialogue on food security has focused on
improving production and productivity
• However, mounting evidence suggests that the world
supplies sufficient food, but 30-40% is lost or wasted
– In developing nations, it is estimated that most food losses happen postharvest, between harvest and retail
– In developed nations, it is estimated that most food waste is due to
consumer waste, much of this suitable for human consumption
• Reducing food losses and waste is an opportunity to
increase the available supply of food
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Reducing Food Losses in the Early Stages of the Food
System
• Much of the attention on food losses and waste is centered
around innovations in storage, transportation, infrastructure
• In addition to losses during storage, Canadian scientists
have looked at means to reduce food losses at earlier stages
of the food system – production and harvest, where
scientists research 4 categories:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Intrinsic characteristics of the product that improves resiliency
Practices employed in the field and post-harvest
Additives that inhibit ripening and decay
Technology use
• Research related to losses in grains focuses primarily on
the first, second and fourth of these categories
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Intrinsic Characteristics of the Product
• Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in grain is caused when grains
have reached maturity but are negatively affected by rains
before harvest. PHS creates waste/losses by reducing grain
yield and suitability for food processing. In Canada, this can
result in about $100million in lost market value 3 out of 10
years.
• Scientists undertake genetic research on PHS-resistant
characteristics in grains to pursue improved cultivars
• Scientists also study methods for measuring factors that
contribute to PHS (e.g. dormancy)
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Intrinsic Characteristics of the Product cont’d
• Disease and insect damage in grains can cause serious
losses
• Grains with increased resiliency will result in reduced losses
• Breeding for resiliency against diseases and insects is ongoing in Canada
– Diseases: fusarium head blight and associated mycotoxin (DON), leaf and stem
rust, common bunt, crown rust, ergot, and leaf spot
– Insects:
wheat stem sawfly, orange wheat blossom midge
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Practices Associated with Storage
• Potentially cost-effective practices can be an important
means to reduce food losses and waste during storage
• Examples of Canadian research:
– Aeration of grain with air/liquid nitrogen to freeze insects
– Use of microwaves to control beetles in grains and pulses
– Use of short-wave near-infrared hyperspectral and digital
colour imaging to detect fungal damage, insect damage
• One can calibrate inexpensive near-infrared apparatus for
specific characteristics
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Inhibition of Ripening and Decay (associated
with fruits and vegetables rather than grains)
• Studies have been completed in preventing physical decay
and disease in fruits and vegetables
– Use of 1-methylcyclopropene, ethylene, ozone, and
antimicrobials as possible ripening inhibitors.
– Use of reflective tarps during harvest to extend life
– Lactic fermentation and biological agents to delay decay
• The first option is particularly useful for fruits that are
sensitive to chilling and might be broadened to sub-tropical
and tropical fruits (e.g. banana, avocado, durian, guava,
jackfruit, mango, etc.)
• The second 2 options could be of significant importance in
hot climates
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Use of Cost-Effective Technology
• Some technologies can dramatically reduce food losses and
waste and can be quite cost-effective
– Use of instruments to detect insects, moulds and mycotoxins
(traps, odour detection)
– Weather-tight bins to keep grain dry
– Aeration after harvest to dry and cool grains
– Use of “sensor arrays” to identify specific sources of spoilage
(Temperature and moisture sensors will soon be developed
as well as nanosensors for odours)
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Public – Private Partnerships
• At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), funding
programs are available to support collaborations between
AAFC scientists, other public agencies and the private
sector
• For example, industry-based organizations, like the Canola
Council and Western Grains Research Foundation can
partner with universities and AAFC to research topics that
will lend to reduction of losses and waste
• This approach can be effective in meeting industry goals by
capitalizing on the strengths within each sector
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Conclusions
• When discussing food losses and waste, we need to look at
a broader spectrum of possible options (e.g. more resilient
varieties) rather than just post-harvest
• Canadian scientists have concluded that improvements to
production, harvest, and storage processes can help to
reduce waste and post-harvest losses
• This research is adaptable to production systems in both
developing and developed economies
• Public – private partnerships, through funding programs,
can be effective in the development of innovative ways to
reduce losses
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For Further Information
• Canadian scientists working in both grains and horticulture
fields would be happy to discuss their post-harvest and
resiliency work with you in greater detail
• For more information on scientists working these fields,
please contact:
Diane Livingston
Email: diane.livingston@agr.gc.ca
Telephone: 1 (306) 523-6568
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