Strategies for Reducing Food Loss and Waste to Enhance Food Security and Sustainability

Food loss and food waste represent critical bottlenecks in the transition toward resilient and sustainable food systems. Current global estimates indicate that close to one-third of all food intended for human consumption never reaches the table. Losses occur at multiple points along the supply chain: during harvesting and postharvest handling due to inadequate agronomic practices, throughout transportation and storage because of insufficient infrastructure, and at the consumer level, where edible products are frequently discarded. Beyond the ethical and economic implications, the environmental burden associated with wasted food is substantial. Decomposing organic matter contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, places additional pressure on land and water resources, and can create conditions that favor the emergence or proliferation of pathogens.In recent years, coordinated initiatives—ranging from community-driven campaigns to scientific innovations—have attempted to curb this global problem. Strategies include educating consumers about responsible purchasing and household management, and promoting the transformation of agricultural by-products into valuable compounds for food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological applications. Within this context, modern chemical and process engineering has introduced frameworks such as circularity-based design, integrated food-process modeling, and biorefinery approaches, all of which provide powerful avenues to mitigate the impacts of food losses across the supply chain.Achieving sustainable food production calls for continuous rethinking of industrial operations. Emerging engineering methodologies enable the development of more efficient and environmentally conscious manufacturing routes. Concepts such as circular economy, life-cycle analysis, resource-efficient process intensification, and waste valorization offer multidisciplinary perspectives that simultaneously consider environmental, economic, and social dimensions. These tools support the identification of hotspots in food production chains, enabling stakeholders to minimize resource consumption, reduce emissions, and generate new revenue streams by transforming previously underutilized residues. The purpose of this Research Topic is to highlight recent advances in the application of innovative food-processing technologies and process-design tools to industrial food production. Contributions focus on evaluating the sustainability of emerging food products, presenting case studies on the valorization of food side-streams, and demonstrating how creative engineering solutions can lead to the reduction of food waste or the recovery of high-value ingredients from residual biomass. Through these examples, the collection aims to provide a comprehensive view of how modern scientific and technological developments can support the global effort to build more efficient and environmentally responsible food systems.High-quality original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, and prospective opinions are welcome on the following aspects:• Biorefinery of food residues into value-added products• Extraction of bioactive compounds, pigments, enzymes, and fibers• Development of bioenergy (biogas, bioethanol) from food waste• Industrial symbiosis between food producers and other sectors• Advanced preservation methods (HPP, pulsed light, ultrasound, irradiation)• Real-time spoilage prediction using AI and machine learning• Environmental footprint evaluation of food waste• Development of waste-minimization indicators• Enhancing nutrient recovery and circular nutrient flows• Using waste-reduction strategies to stabilize food availability• Behavioral change strategies to reduce plate waste Topic editors: Cristobal N. AGUILAR, Lilia Arely Prado Barragan, Guadalupe Virginia Nevárez-Moorillón, Miguel Ángel Aguilar González Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77366/strategies-for-reducing-food-loss-and-waste-to-enhance-food-security-and-sustainability