United Kingdom-the amount of food wasted.

UNITED KINGDOM-The UK’s top grocery retailers, brands and manufacturers have committed to an industry-wide food waste reduction objective for the first time.

It is hoped that the strategy, delivered under the Waste & Resources Action Programme’s (WRAPs) Love Food Hate Waste campaign, will reduce the amount of food waste thrown away by 155,000 tonnes by 2010, against a 2008 baseline.

Signatories of the Courtauld Commitment have pledged to take concerted action in identifying solutions and examining areas such as labelling and pack size.

Meat products will be amongst those examined, having been identified as one of the highest sources of household food waste by WRAPS.

WRAP CEO Liz Goodwin said: "This pledge signals a concerted and consistent approach by the grocery industry to reduce household food waste. Taking action under the Courtauld Commitment will help the grocery sector reduce the carbon impact of food waste while delivering significant cost savings straight to the consumer pocket.

"We want to see packaging innovation and advice to help shoppers make positive product choices and make the best use of the food they buy, therefore reducing the amount of waste."

As part of its wider food waste strategy, WRAP is now working with the Courtauld signatories, UK Governments and industry partners to develop and implement category-specific action plans.

Jane Kennedy, Defra minister, said: "I warmly welcome this commitment, which will ensure that not only are supermarkets, brand leaders and food processors now working to reduce food waste, but it will also help their customers buy wisely and thus reduce the cost to them."