Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Paul-Alexandru ȘTEFAN, Marilena MIRONIUC, Gavril ȘTEFAN

Food loss and waste (FLW) quantification is critical for addressing global food security and sustainability challenges. This systematic review evaluates 27 studies focusing on methods used to quantify FLW, highlighting the diversity in definitions, frameworks, and methodological approaches. Of these, five studies lacked any explicit FLW definition, while others referenced diverse frameworks, including the Food Loss and Waste Protocol, Food and Agriculture Organization, and other organizations such as United States Department of Agriculture, High Level Panel of Experts, and the United Nations. Multiple definitions were mentioned in some studies, reflecting a fragmented landscape. Methodologically, 14 studies employed quantitative approaches, three used qualitative methods, and 10 adopted mixed methods, underscoring the complexity of FLW research. The dominance of quantitative approaches reflects the need for objective, measurable data, while mixed methods offer a more comprehensive understanding by integrating contextual insights. This review highlights significant methodological variability and a lack of standardization in FLW definitions and measurement practices. These results underscore the necessity for standardized frameworks and methodologies to enhance comparability and effectively direct global efforts for the reduction of FLW.

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