Impact of factors related to food process wastage on the environment: An exploratory analysis of selected food companies in Mauritius

Abstract

The study focuses on the food industry sector in Mauritius to explore the impact of factors related to food process waste on the environment. The selected food companies in Mauritius are studied to identify the prevalent problems and challenges associated with food process wastage. The study targets the stakeholders and communities impacted by the food industry sector. The current state of research on food process wastage in Mauritius is limited, and there needs to be more comprehensive research on the environmental impact of this problem. The proposed study aims to 􀅫ill this gap by providing a detailed analysis of the factors related to food process wastage and its ecological effects. The study seeks to identify the leading causes of food process waste in Mauritius' selected food companies and evaluate their environmental impact. The study is quantitative, and data is collected from poultry processing "X" and Fish Processing "Y" companies. The survey questionnaire was used to manage the data with 101 respondents; sample groups were managers, customers, and industry experts. The study's outcomes show that food waste has severe environmental consequences and can contribute to climate change, resource depletion, and contamination of waterways. It also emphasizes that the main factors contributing to food waste in the Mauritius food industry are poor inventory management, ineffective production planning, and poor storage and handling practices. The report recommended that food companies employ methods to improve inventory management and production planning, foster ef􀅫icient storage and handling of customs, and foster a culture of waste reduction and resource conservation. The paper also discusses these companies' waste management policies and their ability to reduce the environmental impact of food processing waste.