Navigating Towards Sustainable Development: Determinant and Prevention Strategies for Household Food Waste in Malaysia

Abstract

The amount of food discarded by Malaysian households is substantial, to a great extent, avoidable. Minimizing food waste at the household level, therefore, plays a crucial part in the food chain responsibility. The little review has considered the effectiveness of interventions aimed at preventing food waste on itinerary stages of the food system. This significant gap, if filled, could help support those looking at reducing food waste in the developing world, providing knowledge of what interventions are specifically effective at preventing food waste. By using an extensive literature review, this paper clarified factors influencing food waste generation based on itinerary stages. This paper outlines five antecedents and recommendations for food waste reduction at the household level by using four strategies including sharing extra food and cooking, planned purchase schedule, skills on storing fresh food, and understanding family preferences which eventually can contribute to sustainable development goals. The integrated strategies are fruitful in improving household food waste management and preventing food waste generation as well as remedying existing policy gaps in Malaysia.