First Chinese company joins Save Food initiative

THE Xiamen Changsu Industrial Company has become the first company from China to be part of the Save Food initiative.

Changsu Industrial is said to be among the biggest producers of flexible packaging in China, with claims to be the global leader in biaxially oriented polyamide films (BOPA). The company’s facilities are located in Xiamen, Fujian province.

As member of Save Food, the company is willing to share its technical and material expertise and ideas to the rest of the members. Its product, BOPA films are mostly used as barrier in packaging to prevent contact between content and environment, with the purpose of extending a product’s shelf life.

Food waste in China

China has its share of food loss and waste issues. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that it has among the largest populations and has limited resources including water.

A study by the Institute of Agricultural Economics Research at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, says 35 million tonnes of food are lost each year before they reach the consumer.  As an example, as much as 7.5 million tonnes of rice is wasted.

The rate of food waste in the catering industry is at about 19 percent, and contributing to this figure is the banqueting culture among wealthy Chinese and in business. To curb food waste, the government in 2013 launched an advertising campaign on television reminding consumers to “Clean your plate”. 

Save Food

SAVE FOOD has over 140 members in industry, about 230 NGOs and research  institutes that are registered with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).