<P> Food waste continues in the post-harvest stage, but the amounts of post-harvest loss involved are relatively unknown and difficult to estimate . Regardless, the variety of factors that contribute to food waste, both biological / environmental and socio - economical, would limit the usefulness and reliability of general figures . In storage, considerable quantitative losses can be attributed to pests and micro-organisms . This is a particular problem for countries that experience a combination of heat (around 30 ° C) and ambient humidity (between 70 and 90 per cent), as such conditions encourage the reproduction of insect pests and micro-organisms . Losses in the nutritional value, caloric value and edibility of crops, by extremes of temperature, humidity or the action of micro-organisms, also account for food waste . Further losses are generated in the handling of food and by shrinkage in weight or volume . </P> <P> Some of the food waste produced by processing can be difficult to reduce without affecting the quality of the finished product . Food safety regulations are able to claim foods which contradict standards before they reach markets . Although this can conflict with efforts to reuse food waste (such as in animal feed), safety regulations are in place to ensure the health of the consumer; they are vitally important, especially in the processing of foodstuffs of animal origin (e.g. meat and dairy products), as contaminated products from these sources can lead to and are associated with microbiological and chemical hazards . </P> <P> Packaging protects food from damage during its transportation from farms and factories via warehouses to retailing, as well as preserving its freshness upon arrival . Although it avoids considerable food waste, packaging can compromise efforts to reduce food waste in other ways, such as by contaminating waste that could be used for animal feedstocks . </P> <P> In 2013 the non-profit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) performed research that they state suggests that the leading cause of food waste in America is due to uncertainty over food expiration dates, such as confusion in deciphering best before, sell - by or use - by dates . Joined by Harvard Law, the NRDC produced a study called The Dating Game: How Confusing Food Date Labels Leads to Food Waste in America . This United States - based study looked at the intertwining laws which lead labeling to end up unclear and erratic . This uncertainty leads to consumers to toss food, most often because they think the food may be unsafe or misunderstand the labeling on the food completely . Lack of regulation on labeling can result in large quantities of food being removed from the market overall . </P>

Go to your kitchen and take notes about food safety measures and the food wastage you see there