Embassy of Denmark hosts zero food waste lunch

The Embassy of Denmark in Bangladesh has hosted a Zero Food Waste Lunch to raise awareness ahead of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on 29 September. The event brought together Bangladeshi influencers and changemakers to inspire action against food waste.

Globally, one third of food products end up as waste. In Bangladesh alone, an estimated 10,000 tonnes of food is wasted daily. A World Bank report shows up to 34% of staples such as rice, fish, lentils and mangoes are lost before reaching consumers—causing higher food prices, lost resources and environmental pressure.

Christian Brix Møller, ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, said:
"Food waste is a matter of lost opportunities. Farmers lose income, families face higher prices, and our planet bears the cost. With today's Zero Food Waste Lunch, we wanted to show that sustainability and taste can go hand in hand."

The curated menu used every ingredient to its fullest, demonstrating how innovation in the kitchen can reduce waste while maintaining quality.

Maria Stein Knudsen, sector counsellor for food and agriculture at the embassy, said food loss means "lost livelihoods, food insecurity for families, and greater pressure on natural resources", stressing the importance of practical, habit-changing solutions.

The initiative is part of the embassy's SDG Facility, which supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Bangladesh through local engagement, innovation and partnerships.