Food waste increases during Christmas

One in three people throw away food during the Christmas season, with fish and Christmas ham being the most commonly discarded items. In contrast, dairy products, candy, and snacks are wasted the least.

Food waste refers to edible food that, for various reasons, is not consumed. To better understand and address this issue, the Swedish Food Agency conducts regular surveys to evaluate consumers’ awareness, attitudes, and behaviors around food waste.

In January 2024, for the first time, the Swedish Food Agency included questions specifically focusing on behaviors related to Christmas celebrations, Christmas food, and food waste.

According to the survey, one-third of individuals who celebrated Christmas and consumed traditional Christmas food reported discarding food they had intended to eat. Additionally, 42% admitted to throwing away more food during Christmas 2023 compared to their regular habits, while 40% noted they wasted less food than in previous Christmas seasons.

Men were found to waste food during Christmas more frequently than women, and younger age groups (18–49 years) reported discarding more food compared to those aged 50 and older.

It’s well-known that people often buy excessive amounts of food for Christmas, and these results show that we also waste more food than usual during this time. There’s great potential to reduce food waste here, says Karin Fritz, a food waste expert at the Swedish Food Agency.

Herring, salmon, and other fish, along with Christmas ham, were identified as the most frequently discarded foods during Christmas 2023. These were followed by salads, fruits and vegetables, as well as potatoes and potato dishes. On the other hand, items like cheese, dairy products, candy, and snacks were wasted the least.

Fortunately, the reasons behind food waste can be addressed, especially if we understand why we discard food. By planning meals better, storing food correctly, and making use of leftovers, we can significantly reduce food waste,” adds Karin Fritz.