Turning the Tide on Food Waste. With a Helping Ray of UV Light

Why It Matters Right Now

• An estimated 13 percent of food – the equivalent of 1.25 billion tonnes – was lost globally after harvest and prior to reaching retail shelves in 2021 (FAO, 2023).
• An estimated 19 percent of food – the equivalent of 1.05 billion tonnes – was wasted in households, food service and retail in 2022 (UNEP, 2024)
• Households account for 60 percent of global food waste (UNEP, 2024).

These figures show how closely food loss is tied to climate change, environmental degradation, and widespread hunger. As UN data and reports emphasize, urgent collective action is critical.

2025 Theme: Take Action, Strengthen Efforts

The 2025 observance, its sixth, calls on all stakeholders across supply chains to “expand and strengthen” efforts in reducing food loss and waste, to secure a sustainable food future for all.

A Smart Ally in the Fight: UV Technology

At Alpha‑Purify, we specialize in UV lamps (medium-pressure, low-pressure/amalgam) and accessories that power disinfection processes.

How UV Helps Reduce Food Waste:

1. Surface Sanitization in Food Processing Food surfaces, fruits, vegetables, packaging are vulnerable to microbial contamination. UV light effectively reduces pathogens and spoilage organisms without chemicals, preserving freshness and extending shelf life.
2. Air Treatment in Production Facilities Recirculated air in food prep and packaging areas can harbour bacteria and mould. UV‑equipped air systems help maintain cleaner air quality, reducing spoilage rates and production losses.
3. Water Disinfection in Cleaning and Washing Using UV to treat wash water ensures food is not exposed to contaminated water, reducing the risk of recontamination during rinsing and maximizing safe yield.

By incorporating UV into food production workflows, operators, from processors to packagers, can improve safety, avoid premature spoilage, and contribute meaningfully to waste reduction efforts.

This Food Loss and Waste Reduction Day, let’s commit to smarter, more sustainable systems. UV technology offers scalable, eco-conscious solutions that help:

• Preserve product quality
• Safeguard food safety
• Optimize resource use
• Support Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 to halve food waste by 2030

Let’s fuse innovation with awareness to nourish people and protect the planet.