China's Food Waste Linked to Systemic Issues

Researchers reframe food loss and waste in China as a fundamental structural problem stemming from modernization, supply chains, consumption patterns, and governance. The review synthesizes existing literature and policy documents across multiple scales, from households to the national level, to demonstrate how these factors contribute to waste.

The study identifies five key mechanisms driving food loss and waste including methodological fragmentation which creates invisibility, behavioral contradictions which override efforts, and governance gaps resulting in symbolic compliance. Current interventions primarily address symptoms rather than these root causes.

Researchers note data limitations and a focus on urban areas exacerbate the issue. They propose a structural functionalism framework to guide future research and advocate for integrated governance, standardized measurement, and enforcement-based policies to align food waste mitigation with broader sustainability goals in China.