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Germany seeks to halve food waste by 2030

  BERLIN, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The German government is seeking to reduce food waste by 2030, involving industry as well as consumers, according to a food-waste strategy presented on Wednesday by German Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner.

  According to a study by the University of Stuttgart, around 11 million tons of food are thrown away each year in Germany, which accounts to 55 kilograms per capita.

  The German national strategy is aiming to halve food waste at retailers as well as in private households.

  Last Saturday German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that "the ambitious goal can only be achieved if everyone takes part". The government is seeking to involve consumers, the agricultural industry, retailers, the food industry as well as the gastronomy.

  An "enormous amount" is thrown away due to expiring best before dates in Germany, although the food could still be consumed, Kloeckner said. She intends to work together with food retailers. Informative packaging, mobile apps and flyers are to raise consumers' awareness.

  Among other things, the strategy aims to develop concrete measures with companies, associations, the German federal states and science on a voluntary basis, such as more suitable portion sizes in restaurants for example.

  Kloeckner warned that resources, energy and emissions that were invested in the food production would be "wasted" if the food was thrown away.