Healthier but Wasteful? Changing food loss and waste along global food supply chains with healthier diets

Abstract Bridging economic and technical modelling of food loss and waste (FLW), we trace physical quantities of FLW along food supply chains (FSC) in a global economic model, building on a newly compiled FLW database. Imposing the EAT-Lancet diet provides changes in FLW magnitude, composition, and geographical location by 2030. By decreasing global food consumption FLW reduces along each stage of the FSC despite a shift to higher FLW foods. Shares of less-processed and plant-based FLW increase, improving reuse possibilities. While food trade decreases, high-income region (HIC) imports still generate substantial losses in low- and mid-income regions (LMIC) with limited scope for reuse. As import-embedded FLW is not captured in SDGs this eases HICs ability to meet SDG12.3, hampering LMICs. While the healthy diet generates less FLW, farm-level loss policies in LMIC need to be complemented by FLW reuse strategies to not let potential inputs for nutritious foods go to waste.