Introduction

Nutrition informatics (NI) is the efficient retrieval, organisation, storage, and optimal application of information, data, and knowledge for food and nutrition problem-solving and decision-making. There is an increasing opportunity to provide technology-enabled behavioural change interventions to assist NI research and practice. (1)
Access to a sufficient, safe, and nutritious food supply is critical for the rising worldwide population. However, food waste has become a major concern worldwide due to wasteful behaviours, which have serious social, economic, and environmental consequences. (2)
According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Food Waste Index Report 2024, over one-third of worldwide food is lost or wasted yearly. This exacerbates worldwide poverty and burdens environmental resources, making food waste a critical issue for human health and global sustainability. (3)
Currently, the food industry is facing issues in building effective systems to ensure food quality, safety, and availability for all. However, technology emerges as a strong ally in addressing these difficulties. Nutrition informatics, which combines nutrition science and information technology, provides creative answers to this pressing issue. (4,5)

Tracking and Managing Food Inventory

Artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics are increasingly used in global food production. The quantity of data, machine-to-machine connection, cloud storage, blockchain technology, and advances in data analytics have reignited interest in AI technologies in the food industry. The usage of such technologies can be seen in the case of a few companies such as Walmart, (which optimizes its inventory using AI-driven data, drastically reducing food waste (6). India’s National Agriculture Market (eNAM) enhances the efficiency of agricultural markets. It helps farmers earn higher prices for their produce and lowers post-harvest losses by improving inventory management. (7) Similarly, BigBasket, an Indian online grocery delivery service, optimizes its inventory with AI-driven analytics, reducing food waste significantly. (8)
IoT (Internet of Things) devices improve adaptability, real-time monitoring, and traceability in huge kitchens, agriculture, and healthcare industries. (9) These technologies are typically coupled with phrases like “smart,” as evidenced in concepts like the Smart Kitchen. In India, the Waste to Wealth Mission, part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, exhibits creative ways to manage food waste, changing trash into useful resources. (10)

Optimising Supply Chain Efficiency

Efficient supply chain management is critical for decreasing food waste. Effective inventory management strategies, such as just-in-time inventory and demand forecasting, assist businesses in lowering carrying costs while avoiding stockouts or overstocks. One common difficulty in supply chain management is a lack of real-time data, which can lead to overstocking. AI systems can better estimate demand, which helps to mitigate this issue. (11)

Given India’s enormous population, various farming practices, and the significant number of people who remain food insecure, eliminating food waste is critical. Technology can optimize the supply chain to ensure food reaches those in need while minimizing waste.

Promoting Consumer Awareness and Behaviour Change

Educating and improving consumer awareness is critical to decreasing food waste at the individual level. Nutrition informatics contributes to this effort by providing applications and platforms that educate consumers on safe food storage, expiration dates, and inventive recipes for using up leftover items. We can promote responsible food consumption behaviours by educating customers. Behavioural economics principles can impact consumer behaviour. For example, encouraging consumers to eat smaller portions or providing incentives for using leftovers can drastically reduce household food waste. (12)
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in India has established the “Indian Food Sharing Alliance” (IFSA) to promote the redistribution of surplus food to those in need. By analyzing consumption trends and waste generation data, policymakers may establish targeted plans and legislation to promote sustainable food usage and storage practices. This strategy has the potential to significantly alter consumer behaviour, hence minimizing food waste. (13)

Challenges and Future Directions

The food businesses face challenges in developing and implementing systems to ensure food quality, safety, and availability. These hurdles include technological constraints, data privacy concerns, and the need for widespread adoption across diverse food systems. Nonetheless, ongoing technology breakthroughs and coordinated efforts among stakeholders offer promising opportunities for the future. (2)
The United Nations Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report 2024 provides useful information for measuring progress towards halving global food waste. By exploiting such findings and embracing new technology, the food industry can address current difficulties and move towards a more sustainable future. (3)

Conclusion

Nutrition informatics is at the forefront of attempts to reduce global food waste. As we address the essential demand for safe and healthy food while reducing waste, technology—including AI, analytics, and IoT—provides critical solutions. These technologies improve inventory management, streamline supply chains, and teach customers about food handling and consumption.
Despite obstacles such as technological limitations and data privacy issues, steady progress, and collaborative initiatives promise a more sustainable future. By embracing nutrition informatics, we can reduce food waste, conserve resources, and ensure equal access to nutritious food for all. This strategy can provide major long-term benefits in India, such as increased food security, economic savings, and environmental sustainability.

References

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  2. Siddique, A. (2023). Implementing big data analytics approaches to improve food quality and minimize food waste and loss. Auburn University. Retrieved from https://etd.auburn.edu/bitstream/handle/10415/8709/Spring%20Dissertation%202023%20AS2.pdf?sequence=2
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  8. Economic Times. (2019, December 16). Here’s how ML and analytics have transformed BigBasket into SmartBasket. Economic Times CIO. Retrieved from https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/business-analytics/heres-how-ml-and-analytics-have-transformed-bigbasket-into-smartbasket/72809278
  9. Minaam, D. S. A., Abd-ELfattah, M., & Ali, M. A. (2018). Design of an Internet of Things (IoT) network system for kitchen food waste management. International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security, 18(5), 130-138.
  10. Waste to Wealth Mission. (n.d.). Waste to Wealth Mission. Retrieved from https://www.wastetowealth.gov.in/
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