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Reducing food loss and waste in the processing, distribution and retail operations of micro, small and medium-sized food processing enterprises

A technical manual









  • identifying food loss hotspots and their underlying causes in the processing and distribution operations of MSMEs;
  • measuring the levels of loss at each hotspot;
  • introducing simple innovations that are technically, economically, and socially appropriate, as well as good practices to reduce food loss at each hotspot; and
  • measuring food waste in retail and identifying actions that can measurably reduce the levels of food waste in retail.



Rolle, R.S., Tangsuphoom, N., Gowachirapant, S. & Albia, C. 2025. Reducing food loss and waste in the processing, distribution and retail operations of micro, small and medium-sized food processing enterprises – A technical manual. Rome, FAO.




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