Evaluation frozen food waste within pre-retail levels in a food manufacturing company in Kwazulu-Natal

Abstract

The generation of food waste is a pervasive issue within all tiers of the food supply and value chain, resulting in an annual loss of approximately 1.3 billion metric tons, encompassing a substantial 30% of global food production. Food wastage spans the primary production phase, food retail establishments and continues through to the food consumption phase within households. In recent years, there has been a significant surge in global attention directed towards the issue of food loss and waste. The aim of this study is to conduct an in-depth investigation into the generation of waste associated with frozen and chilled food products within the supply and value chain of a prominent food manufacturing company situated in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The study objectives were to investigate the (i) reasons and drivers behind food waste generation of frozen and chilled food products in the supply and value chain of a food manufacturing company; (ii) explore the socio-economic and environmental impacts of frozen and chilled food waste generation in the company, (iii) understand consumer perceptions on chilled and frozen food waste generation in relation to their buying habits and patterns and, (iv) to critically analyse the national policy and regulatory framework on frozen and chilled food waste management in the food retail sector and make policy recommendations for sustainable chilled and frozen food waste management in the supply and value chain. The use of the triple bottom line theory aligns with the needs of the study as it gives insights into the need for appropriate reduction of food waste for the environmental, social, and economic growth of a country. Interviews, questionnaires, an online Four Eyes survey, and observational techniques were employed to gather primary data. To select a representative sample of retail stores where frozen and chilled are sold, the Fisherman’s online Qualtrics calculator was utilized. Respondents for this study were drawn from a diverse pool, including policymakers, walk-in customers, retail outlet employees, and environmental scientists. The analysis of secondary data procured from the manufacturing company was conducted using Microsoft Power BI. Quantitative data were processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to compute mean values. Qualitative data, in contrast, were analysed and assigned codes before being collated within themes, creating clusters of related information, patterns, and key concepts. Themes were ranked based on their significance and relevance to the research objectives, guiding subsequent in-depth discussions and analysis. The organized qualitative data served as the foundation for interpretative discussion, enabling insights and connections and drawing of study conclusions. Additionally, geographical information data, in conjunction with the 202 indicators pertaining to retail store sites, underwent integration within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. This integrated approach facilitated the production of visual maps, which served to visually represent the spatial distribution and pertinent attributes associated with these retail stores where frozen food is sold. Research findings underscored that suboptimal handling practices significantly contribute to the generation of waste within the frozen and chilled food domain. Furthermore, it became evident that there exists a paucity of concrete food waste regulatory policies aimed at mitigating the issue of waste generation specifically within the frozen and chilled food sector. The implications of this study are intended to serve as a valuable resource for governmental entities and stakeholders operating within both the supply and value chains. By shedding light on the challenges and deficiencies surrounding frozen and chilled food waste, these findings can inform strategic decision-making and policy development aimed at fostering more sustainable practices in this critical sector of the food industry.