Food Waste Awareness remains a key priority in Kuwait as authorities encourage residents to adopt more responsible consumption habits. Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition Abeer Al-Ramah highlighted the issue on Tuesday during an awareness event organised by the authority at The Avenues Mall. The event marked the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, observed annually on September 29.
During her remarks, Al-Ramah emphasised that reducing food waste requires participation from individuals, families and the wider community. She described food conservation as a shared responsibility that begins with practical choices made during everyday activities. According to Al-Ramah, consumers can reduce unnecessary waste by purchasing quantities that match their actual needs. Proper food storage can also help households preserve products for longer and reduce unnecessary disposal. Additionally, she encouraged people to make better use of leftovers rather than throwing away food after meals.
The acting director general also highlighted the journey food takes before reaching consumers. Food production, transportation, preparation and distribution all require significant effort and resources before products reach households. Therefore, she stressed that people should recognise the value of food and consider its wider resource requirements. Greater awareness can encourage consumers to make more deliberate decisions when purchasing, preparing and storing food.
Food Waste Awareness also involves changing everyday habits rather than relying solely on large-scale initiatives. Households can begin by planning meals carefully and checking existing supplies before purchasing additional products. Furthermore, consumers can organise refrigerators and storage areas to make older products easier to identify. Using those items first can help prevent food from remaining unused until it becomes unsuitable for consumption. Portion control provides another practical way to reduce unnecessary waste during meals and gatherings, while preparing appropriate quantities can limit uneaten food.
Leftovers can also remain useful when households store them correctly and plan meals around them. Instead of immediately discarding remaining food, consumers can incorporate suitable portions into meals later. The authority’s awareness message also connects food conservation with broader national resource management. Reducing unnecessary disposal can help limit the resources required to produce replacement food. Moreover, responsible consumption can support wider sustainability efforts by encouraging households to consider environmental consequences. Food production depends on resources such as water, energy and agricultural land throughout its supply chain.
Al-Ramah urged members of the public to help spread awareness about reducing food loss and waste. She said communities can strengthen responsible consumption by making conservation part of their everyday lifestyle. The timing of the event also highlighted the international nature of the issue. The annual awareness day seeks to draw attention to the economic, social and environmental consequences associated with food loss and waste.
Kuwait’s campaign therefore places household behaviour at the centre of efforts to reduce unnecessary food disposal. Rather than focusing only on waste after it occurs, the approach encourages prevention through smarter purchasing and consumption. Food Waste Awareness can also encourage people to rethink how they manage food during celebrations and family gatherings. Planning portions, storing leftovers properly and sharing excess food can reduce the amount discarded.
Ultimately, the authority’s message focuses on preserving food while recognising the resources and effort behind every product. It encouraged residents to treat food conservation as an ongoing responsibility rather than an occasional campaign. By adopting practical habits at home, consumers can make more efficient use of the food they purchase. Such measures can also reinforce a broader culture of responsible consumption across Kuwaiti society.
The authority continues to encourage public participation in reducing food waste through awareness and everyday behavioural changes. Its message places individual responsibility alongside wider efforts to conserve resources and support sustainability. Food Waste Awareness therefore remains closely connected to practical household decisions, from shopping quantities to storage and leftovers. The authority is urging residents to turn those choices into consistent habits that reduce unnecessary food disposal.
