Every day, food goes to waste, whether it is from spoiled fruits and vegetables, those harvested but not properly handled, or pastries that don’t make it to the shelf or are removed from it.
At the same time, families throughout Grenada face the challenge of providing enough healthy food for their tables. 29 September is recognised as the International Day of Awareness for Food Loss and Waste, and reducing food loss and waste is one of the most important steps we can take to protect both our people and our planet.
This is where the Codex Alimentarius, often simply referred to as the Codex, plays a crucial role. Codex is a collection of international food standards created by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). These standards guide the harvesting, storage, packaging, and transportation of food to ensure its safety and prevent unnecessary waste.
Grenada is part of this global effort through its National Codex Committee, which brings together farmers, food businesses, and government agencies to apply these international best practices in serving national interests. The National Codex Committee reviews and adopts Codex guidelines, which, if followed by our Grenadian farmers and producers, enable them to better reduce spoilage, improve quality, and ensure that more food reaches the consumer.
One of the most significant opportunities to reduce waste is during the post-harvest stage, the crucial period immediately following crop harvest. If fruits and vegetables are picked too early or too late, stored in unsuitable conditions, or left too long without cooling or transportation, they can spoil before reaching the market. Simple measures, such as proper storage, careful handling, and improved packaging supported by Codex standards, can significantly reduce food loss.
Reducing food loss has a direct impact on food security. Every pound of produce saved means more affordable food for families, more substantial support for farmers’ incomes, and less reliance on costly imports. It also benefits the environment by reducing the amount of food that ends up in landfills and minimising the resources wasted on growing food that is never eaten.
Equally important is the role of labelling. Clear labels that display best-before dates, expiry dates, and storage instructions help consumers and retailers make informed decisions about how long food is safe for consumption and how it can be safely stored. This not only reduces the likelihood of safe food being thrown away too early but also helps extend the usable life of food products when stored correctly. Better labelling empowers households to plan meals wisely, reduces financial losses from discarded food, and supports national food security in all its dimensions, availability, accessibility, and stability.
Grenada’s National Codex Committee continues to raise awareness about these issues and provide guidance to those working in agriculture and food production. Their efforts help ensure that food on our shelves and tables is safe, nutritious, and used wisely.
When we reduce food waste, we’re not just saving food; we’re also protecting our economy, our environment, and our future. By strengthening post-harvest practices and leveraging international Codex standards, Grenada is taking steps to secure its food supply for future generations.
Grenada National Codex Committee