The “Symposium on Food, Water Loss and Waste” organized by the TÜBA-Food and Nutrition Working Group, led by our Dean Prof. Dr. Kazim Şahin, in cooperation with TÜBA and Sabahattin Zaim University, was held at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.

In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Kazım Şahin, our Dean and TÜBA Associate Member, stated that “while millions of people around the world have difficulty in accessing basic food and water, the waste of these resources is unacceptable. “Preventing food and water loss and waste will help us build a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world, not only for current generations but also for future generations. Therefore, the importance and urgency of this issue cannot be overstated.”

Stating that food and water waste causes significant economic losses in the process from production to consumption and causes price fluctuations in the markets by disrupting the supply and demand balance, Prof. Şahin said: “This is an important problem especially for low-income groups. Throwing wasted food into landfills increases the release of greenhouse gases such as methane. In addition, wasting chemicals used for agriculture causes soil and water pollution. Food waste threatens food security around the world. Steps that can be taken to prevent food and water loss and waste include various strategies at individual, community and institutional levels.” He stated that it is very important to take measures at the individual and social level, to raise awareness and educate the society, and to develop solutions at the institutional and political level.