The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has formally renewed the Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste (FIFLAW) by collaborating with multiple agencies.
The regulator has signed an agreement with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the issue of food loss and waste.
In addition, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) joined the effort. USAID will help reduce food loss and waste internationally.
FIFLAW was initially established in October 2018 and renewed in December 2020.
The collaboration’s initiatives will continue producing educational resources and guidance materials, conducting outreach, research, community investments, voluntary programmes, technical assistance, discussion of policies, and public-private partnerships.
With the inclusion of USAID, the US government can broaden its outreach to a wider network of international stakeholders while optimising government resources.
Together, the agencies will engage with external partners to use both the private and non-governmental sectors and drive national and global initiatives to reduce food loss and waste.
FDA commissioner Robert Califf said: “The FDA is committed to achieving the goal of a 50% reduction of food loss and waste by 2030 through a whole-of-government approach in collaboration with the USDA, EPA and USAID.
“We also recognise the role that empowered US consumers can play in helping to reach the national food waste reduction goal.”
Under the FIFLAW, the collaborating agencies have drafted the National Strategy to Reduce Food Loss and Waste and Recycle Organics.
The strategy, currently in draft form, aims to achieve the national goal of halving food loss and waste by 2030.
The proposed actions outlined within this strategy by the USDA, EPA, and FDA will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, while saving money for households and businesses.
Additionally, the collaboration has forged a formal partnership with the national non-profit organisation, ReFED.
The partnership is designed to pool resources and expertise to evaluate the efficacy of strategies aimed at reducing food waste across the US.
US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said: “By renewing this agreement and adding USAID into the effort, we affirm our shared commitment to coordinated action to reduce food loss and waste and educate Americans on its impacts and importance.
“Individually and collectively, each of these agencies is working to combat food loss and waste from farm to table.”
